UK Royal Mail to test drone deliveries to Scilly Isles

Ok, it may appear a story from a supply chain backwater – the Scilly Isles market is hardly likely to blossom with logistics opportunities – but the forthcoming Royal Mail trials could take drone operations into a new era. The Guardian reports that Royal Mail will deploy a large drone with a 100kg payload over the 70 miles between the islands’ airport at St Mary’s and the UK mainland, far out of sight of any operator. Smaller drones will distribute shipments to the rest of the archipelago. “The trial will focus on sending PPE and Covid test kits from the mainland, but the drones will also carry other parcels, including online orders from retailers. If it is successful, Royal Mail said it would consider introducing the technology across its postal network to help support deliveries to more remote parts of the country.”