UPS has received government approval to operate a drone airline.
The shipping company, granted a Part 135 Standard certification, can now fly pilotless aerial vehicles beyond human operators’ visual line of sight—day or night.
“This is a big step forward in safely integrating unmanned aircraft systems into our airspace, expanding access to healthcare in North Carolina, and building on the success of the national UAS Integration Pilot Program,” according to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao.
To celebrate, UPS subsidiary Flight Forward immediately launched the first drone delivery flight by any company under Part 135 Standard at WakeMed’s hospital campus in Raleigh, N.C.
“This is history in the making, and we aren’t done yet,” UPS CEO David Abney said in a statement. “Our technology is opening doors for UPS and solving problems in unique ways for our customers.”
The firm is no stranger to drones: In March, UPS partnered with Matternet to operate multiple daily UAV flights at WakeMed, where a majority of specimens are currently moved by car.
Advanced FAA authorizations, however, allow the international business to broaden its program to more U.S. healthcare networks.
Hospitals will reportedly pay UPS Flight Forward for its service, which is expected to be much faster and cheaper than current dispatchers.
Very few businesses have been given the green light under this permit, which is the same on Alphabet’s Wing received in April. Amazon and Uber Eats also applied for the designation, but have not yet received consent.
With the Part 135 Standard—the FAA’s highest level of certification—the sky’s the limit, literally.
UPS Flight Forward can fly as many drones with as many remote pilots as it wants; there are no limitations on the size or scope of proceedings.
“The Flight Forward organization is building a full-scale drone operation based on the rigorous reliability, safety, and control requirements of the FAA,” Abney said.
“We will soon announce other steps to build out our infrastructure, expand services for healthcare customers, and put drones to new uses in the future,” he added.
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