Deliver mail to remote areas by drone

Test flights started last year. The last trip was in April 2022.

At that time, the Royal Mail Company used UAVs to deliver mail to Unst, an inhabited island in the north of England. The flight departed from Tingwall Airport on Shetland Island. The whole route is 80.5 km long.

The UAV tested was a twin-engine, capable of carrying up to 100 kg of mail and performing two round-trip flights per day. Royal Mail said this UAV has a wingspan of 10 meters, can withstand harsh weather conditions with the support of the autopilot system.

After Unmanned aircraft Windracers arrive at their destination, a postal worker will pick up the mail and parcels and deliver them to the people.

Postal company Royal Mail began testing automated deliveries last year. Photo: Royal Mail

Royal Mail claims UAVs will help reduce carbon emissions and provide a more reliable delivery service to the islands. Ultimately, the company hopes to have a fleet of more than 500 UAVs in service in the UK within the next three years.

However, the plan needs approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

If approved, Royal Mail will establish around 50 routes and the first communities to benefit will be the Isle of Scilly (off the coast of Cornwall in the South West of England) and the Scottish islands of Shetland, Orkney and Hebrides.