To boost connectivity through the rural island region in Orkney, Skyports is launching its Orkney I-Port operation as a fully electric drone logistics project in collaboration with Royal Mail, Orkney Islands Council Harbour Authority and Loganair.
The service is due to begin operations in Q2, 2023 and will provide considerable benefits including time, cost and emission savings and improved connectivity for island residents. Due to the unique landscape of Orkney, the I-Port project is the first UK drone delivery project which can be conducted on a permanent basis under existing regulatory frameworks.
Orkney’s island geography and harsh weather impact the ability to provide uninterrupted delivery services. Postal deliveries arrive from mainland Scotland to Kirkwall Airport via the Loganair RMA Orkney Flyer, where they are delivered to residents on Orkney’s main island, mainland or transported to one of the 19 other inhabited islands via ferry or small passenger aircraft. Inclement weather conditions often result in ferry schedules being delayed due to the challenges of docking safely.
The arrival of Skyports Drone Services will establish a daily inter-island mail distribution service, operating initially between three locations across Orkney for three months. The intention is to extend the network to additional locations in due course. Post will be delivered by ground transportation from Kirkwall to a Stromness hub and then transported by drone to Royal Mail sites from where postal workers will carry out their usual island delivery routes.
“Rural and maritime logistics are contingent on access, weather and personnel; if one of htese factors is compromised, so too is the ability to provide a safe and reliable service,” said Alex Brown, Director at Skyports Drone Services. “Orkney is just one example of a hard-to-reach location that will benefit significantly form regular recurring drone operations.”
