Skyports Launches Drone Delivery Pilot Program Across NYC East River
Original: Do City Delivery Drones Make Sense? No One Knows, but They're Flying Over NYC
Why This Matters
Tests viability of urban drone delivery in complex airspace environment
British company Skyports began operating delivery drones between Manhattan and Brooklyn across East River in May, carrying healthcare cargo as part of year-long experiment by Port Authority and NYC Economic Development Corporation.
Skyports' six-propeller drones with eight-foot wingspan make daily weekday flights between Manhattan tip and Brooklyn pier, initially carrying light paper cargo for unnamed NYC healthcare system. The pilot program, delayed from original start date, will expand to include non-hazardous pharmaceuticals once system proves reliable. Port Authority's Stephan Pezdek says experiment aims to determine if 1-2 hourly flights provide value, meet speed and cost requirements versus current carriers, and gain community acceptance. NYC's dense airspace presents unique challenges with three international airports, three Manhattan heliports, and nearly 9,000 helicopter flights in May 2023 alone. Globally, drone delivery remains experimental, with most programs serving rural areas like Skyports' Scotland mail service and Zipline's operations across 5,000 health facilities on four continents.