ROYAL Mail has revealed a major shake up to its delivery service with plans to use 50 new postal drone routes.
It comes as the multinational postal giant aims to provider a faster and more convenient service to hard-to-reach areas.
1
Currently, deliveries to remote places like the Isles of Scilly and the Shetlands are carried out by ferries and regular aircrafts.
But Royal Mail is planning to introduce 200 drones, or Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), across 50 postal routes in partnership with Windracers, a drones company.
The partnership would reduce the demand for other transportation methods and subsequently lower carbon emissions.
Each UAV has a 10ft wingspan and resembles a giant model aeroplane, while operating entirely on auto-pilot.
The plans are subject to Civil Aviation Authority approval, but will be integrated over the next three years if given the go ahead.
Behind the scenes, four trials have taken place over the last 18 months.
And drones managed to carry up to 100kg of mail on two daily return flights in these tests.
On arrival, the mail is then taken to a local branch and delivered to customers by a postie.
Most read in Money
Eventually, Royal Mail hopes to use 500 drones to span the entire country.
Simon Thompson, CEO at Royal Mail, said: “On time delivery regardless of our customers location or the weather, whilst protecting our environment is our goal.
“Even though we go everywhere, Royal Mail already has the lowest CO2 emissions per parcel delivered, this initiative will help reduce our emissions even further.”
While, Stephen Wright, chairman at Windracers Group, said: “We’re truly delighted to be working with Royal Mail on this ambitious and pioneering deployment of autonomous aircraft.
“It puts the UK firmly at the forefront of this exciting sector.”
One person took to Twitter to celebrate the news, tweeting: “This could be the long-awaited big breakthrough drones need.”
Meanwhile, here’s all you need to know about buying stamps.
Ever wondered why post officers write “P” on the front of your letters? We reveal the real reason.
And one postie decided to pipe up about the state of a customer’s front door.
We pay for your stories!
Do you have a story for The Sun Online Money team?
