Dubai Launches First Drone Delivery Service

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, placed the inaugural order, which was delivered seamlessly through the network. Highlighting the initiative’s alignment with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, Sheikh Hamdan said: 'This milestone underscores our commitment to leveraging technology for a diversified, flexible digital economy and empowering smart mobility in Dubai.'

The system, which has undergone extensive safety and operational testing, is set to expand across the emirate. According to the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, the plan is to cover 33% of Dubai by 2030, with new routes and advanced capabilities enabling broader applications like emergency medical deliveries.

Keeta Drone, a subsidiary of Chinese company Meituan, brings expertise from its operations in China, where it has completed over 400,000 deliveries. 'Dubai’s demand for on-demand services and its operational challenges make it an ideal environment to showcase the efficiency and reliability of drone technology,' said Yinian Mao, vice-president of Meituan.