How can delivery drones be used in big cities?

© Jakub Gojda

The former director of safety at the Air Transport Association, Tom Farrier, sets out his arguments against the use of drones for last-mile delivery in this insightful piece from Quora. For Mr Farrier, drones are merely an expensive alternative to van deliveries and pose bigger security concerns, despite the hubbub surrounding their applicability. Among his objections are that they still require a pilot, connectivity in built-up areas pose challenges and that they lack technical means to avoid being a risk to commercial aviation.