HHLA Sky: Scheduled flight operations with automated drones launched

Two years of development work have resulted in the launch of the first commercial delivery drone airline for B2B courier deliveries with automated flying drones. The German Federal Office of Civil Aeronautics had previously granted the Koerschulte Group the first nationwide licence for scheduled flights with delivery drones. This marks the launch of the first delivery drone airline in Germany that is authorised to fly automatically in public spaces (SAIL III operating permission).

The drone flights are monitored by HHLA Sky's Integrated Control Centre, a highly automated process management and control centre software that makes the entire process of drone operations safe and the service easily scalable (Drones as a Service).

HHLA Sky and Third Element Aviation have jointly developed the necessary technology for the Koerschulte Group.

The first customer is the sensor and process control technology manufacturer Hotset in Lüdenscheid, Germany. In the coming months, a further five flight routes will be following. Up to 80 parcels a day are to be flown to customers within Lüdenscheid by the automated drones.