30 Per Cent Of All Quick Commerce Deliveries Likely To Be Executed Via Drones In Major Cities By 2027: Report

Currently, drones are employed for services such as vaccine delivery, anti-locust operations, inspection of oil pipelines and power transmission lines, and land mapping, among others

Compared to a vehicle delivery service model, drone delivery service runs at 40 per cent to 70 per cent less operating cost. (Image Source: Unsplash)

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Drone deliveries are expected to become increasingly popular as quick commerce expands rapidly in urban areas, industry predictions said.

According to a report by The Financial Express, industry estimates revealed that by 2027, about 30 per cent of all quick commerce deliveries will be completed via drones in major cities. This surge in the usage of drones will be driven by the several benefits the new technology offers to quick commerce firms. 

Compared to a vehicle delivery service model, drone delivery service runs at 40 per cent to 70 per cent less operating cost. Speaking with the media firm, Rohan Dani, investment professional, BlackSoil, explained that drones can help quick commerce companies reduce their delivery time by up to 50 per cent and cut down their costs by 30 per cent. 

Notably, several logistics firms like Shiprocket, Ecom Express are currently experimenting with this new technology and have entered into partnerships with drone start-ups that provide drone-as-a-service.

The report noted that one such start-up, Skye Air, has collaborated with nearly four logistics players to deliver their couriers to residential societies in Gurugram. The start-up has established sky pods in more than 70 residential societies, out of which three are currently active and receive about 1,000 packages daily by drones. The company intends to expand its services to more than 10,000 packages per day in the NCR and cover over 100 societies by year-end.

Ankit Kumar, Founder and CEO, Skye Air Mobility, explained, “The goal of the company is to make last mile logistics faster, more sustainable, more efficient and cost-effective moving forward, every package that we deliver,” the report stated.

Further, the civil aviation ministry is also expected to reveal certain measures to help drones become a part of the mainstream usage quickly. Currently, drones are employed for services such as vaccine delivery, anti-locust operations, inspection of oil pipelines and power transmission lines, and land mapping, among others.