Swoop Aero, Astral Aviation, Skyports collaborate for drone logistics

Swoop Aero has joined up with Astral Aviation's drone services business and drone operations partner Skyports to develop a drone logistics network in Kenya. Swoop Aero's experience operating drone logistics networks in seven countries, combined with their proprietary technology platform, will be used to transport medicines, vaccines, and medical samples between healthcare facilities and patients in need across Kenya, beginning with last-mile delivery by the end of 2022.

These activities are a first for the region, since they include the first Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone flight and operation demonstration approvals, which were launched in close collaboration with the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority to guarantee safety and compliance with local rules.

Swoop Aero will deploy its entire technology infrastructure and drone logistics experience in this latest venture, with local Kenyan experts Astral Aerial Solutions operating the network in close collaboration with drone infrastructure provider Skyports, to rapidly improve access to routine and emergency medicine, vaccines, and pathology in the region.

"We are excited to be expanding Swoop Aero's service in Kenya in partnership with Astral Aerial Solutions and Skyports, in what will be a first for the region. Kenya represents the 14th country in which the Swoop Aero technology platform has underpinned BVLOS drone logistics regulatory approvals. The regulatory approvals and operations will bring Swoop Aero closer to providing an integrated drone logistics service to 100 million people by 2025", said Eric Peck, CEO of Swoop Aero.

Swoop Aero's existing integrated logistics platform will be expanded to allow the transfer of medical samples and supplies with cold-chain delivery, as well as remote access operations and simplicity of integration with the region's existing healthcare network with little extra infrastructure.

Astral Aerial Solutions, a Kenyan-based drone operator, provides a history of local aviation knowledge and will give a world-class healthcare solution to clients in the first and last mile in partnership with Swoop Aero's premier integrated drone logistics platform.

"We're excited to be coming together with Skyports and Swoop Aero to offer last-mile delivery solutions in Kenya. This partnership presents a unique opportunity to reduce delivery times and increase accessibility to healthcare and other industries that may support drone logistics into the future.", said Kush Gadhia, CEO Astral Aerial Solutions.

Skyports previously collaborated with Swoop Aero to supply and distribute COVID-19 supplies around the UK, saving over 11,000 hours of pathology wait time with flights spanning 14,000 km.

Speaking on their newest venture, Skyports' Alex Brown, Director Drone Services said, "This week Astral Aerial Solutions, Swoop Aero and Skyports flew Kenya's first Beyond Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone deliveries. These first flights represent the key first step of our plan to bring drone deliveries to Kenyan communities, improving connectivity, logistics and healthcare".

Drone integration into the Kenyan healthcare system through this partnership presents a significant opportunity for improved access to healthcare across Kenya, with capacity for the scalable and sustainable provision of services and supplies. With initial operations focused specifically on medical supplies and the healthcare sector, Swoop Aero will develop additional applications for drone logistics across the country in the coming months.

The addition of the Kite™ aircraft to Swoop Aero's technology platform supports real-time tracking, capture, and analytics, and will further enable additional cross-industry functionalities, including aerial mapping and monitoring, search and rescue capabilities, as well as emergency response and disaster management.