United Parcel Services (UPS) has just gotten a head start against its delivery rivals thanks to a new approval from the US government for it to operate its drone airline delivery service. The company announced the approval to extend the operation of its business on Tuesday, essentially giving it a lead against rivals such as Google and Amazon.
The delivery company announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had approved its license to operate multiple drones for its delivery company called Flight Forward. However, the Part 135 Standard Certification, which was granted on Friday last week, only allows the company to make drone deliveries in campus settings.
The certification will only allow UPS's Flight Forward subsidiary to make deliveries inside hospitals, universities, and company compounds. UPS stated that approval is the first small step for the company for it to eventually transition to residential drone deliveries in the United States.
The company clarified that while it does aim to eventually make residential deliveries, the availability of the service is likely still a "few years" away.
With the new certification, UPS' pilots can now fly their drones even if they are beyond their line of sight. This means that company drones can cover more distance, expanding Flight Forward's delivery capabilities. UPS also revealed that it is immediately doubling the number of inactive services, at least for its flagship customer WakeMed Health & Hospitals in Raleigh, North Carolina.
UPS's chief strategy and transformation officer, Scott Price, mentioned in a statement that Flight Forward currently makes more than 20 flights per day delivering vital items, such as tissue samples, blood, and medicine, within the hospital campus. Price stated that the service has become a growing business and has significantly changed the hospital's operations.
UPS mentioned that the certification should now allow it to offer its services to other campuses across the United States without the need to seek additional approvals. Flight Forward is hoping to service other hospitals, corporate campuses, and universities that have a need for fast and immediate deliveries for items such as important documents and industrial components. Price noted that there are currently hundreds of campuses in the United States and most should benefit from integrating the company's services into their operations.
Other US firms that are providing similar services include Alphabet's single-pilot drone subsidiary called Wing. The company has recently launched test flights for home deliveries in Blacksburg, Virginia. Meanwhile, Amazon is also experimenting with its own drone delivery systems. The company recently acquired an experimental certification from the US government for its test flights.
