Drones are revolutionizing air freight, reshaping how goods are transported, particularly in remote regions. With the support of EU-funded research, Europe’s first full-scale cargo drone airline has been launched, offering the potential to make air freight cheaper and more accessible. However, ensuring proper tracking and safety measures will be essential as this technology takes off.

Europe’s first cargo drone airline: the birth of Dronamics

In 2014, two Bulgarian brothers, Svilen and Konstantin Rangelov, set up their start-up, Dronamics, with a clear goal in mind: transforming freight transport across Europe using drones. Konstantin, an aeronautical engineer, played a key role in turning this vision into reality. By 2023, thanks to EU funding, they achieved a significant milestone—becoming Europe’s first licensed drone cargo airline.

This airline is not just a technological innovation; it addresses a fundamental gap in the global trading system: the need for fast, reliable delivery of goods to regions that are difficult to access by conventional means. Today, Dronamics focuses on providing affordable next-day parcel delivery, even to Europe’s most remote areas, and aims to fill a gap in the global trade network where traditional air freight struggles to reach.

Note: Svilen and Konstantin Rangelov were recognized by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as pioneers in drone cargo aviation, putting their company on par with conventional airlines.

The challenge of Europe’s cargo airspace

Europe is home to over 2,000 airports, yet fewer than 1% of them currently handle cargo aircraft. Most air freight is limited to large airports equipped to accommodate jumbo jets and other large cargo planes, resulting in missed business opportunities for smaller regional airports. This is where cargo drones, like the ones developed by Dronamics, step in to offer a much-needed solution. With their ability to land at smaller, less-equipped airports or even car parks, drones are poised to transform regional logistics.

The first full-scale drone developed by Dronamics, the Black Swan, made history with its successful maiden flight in 2023. This fixed-wing, remotely piloted aircraft can carry up to 350 kilograms of cargo, covering distances of up to 2,500 kilometers, making it ideal for connecting various parts of Europe. Its compact design means it only needs 400 meters of runway to land, expanding the potential destinations for cargo delivery dramatically.

Example: Remote regions of Greece, such as the northern territories and isolated Aegean islands, are prime examples of areas where these drones could make a huge impact by ensuring timely delivery of critical supplies such as pharmaceuticals and perishables.

Sustainability and the future of air mobility

The sustainability factor is at the forefront of Dronamics’ mission. Traditional piloted aircraft, while reliable, are costly to operate. As Svilen Rangelov explains, pilots alone can account for a third of the weight on smaller aircraft, limiting available cargo space. Additionally, there is a growing shortage of pilots in the aviation industry, making drone solutions even more appealing.

Dronamics’ cargo drones can operate on both regular and biofuels, with plans to introduce hydrogen-powered models in the near future, marking a significant advancement in sustainable aviation. The Rangelov brothers estimate that these drones will reduce both costs by up to 50% and carbon dioxide emissions by up to 60% compared to conventional air freight. This commitment to sustainability aligns with broader EU goals to reduce the environmental impact of aviation and other modes of transport.

The company has joined the European Future Mobility Task Force, a body advising the European Union on the future of sustainable and smart mobility strategies. This initiative highlights the European Union’s ongoing commitment to fostering innovation in eco-friendly transportation solutions.

Technical explanation: Hydrogen-powered drones produce zero emissions during flight, using fuel cells that convert hydrogen into electricity, thus only emitting water vapor as a byproduct. This could make hydrogen an essential fuel for the future of sustainable aviation.

Drone hubs: the new logistics centers

As Dronamics scales up operations, the creation of drone hubs will be key. These hubs will serve as operational centers where drones can land, recharge, and be loaded with cargo. Initially, the first drone hubs will be built in the Mediterranean, but the company’s long-term goal is to establish a comprehensive network of hubs across the European Union. This network will enable the company to service underserved communities efficiently, especially in remote areas.

Dronamics aims to manage its entire drone fleet remotely from its global operations center in Malta, linking its drone hubs across Europe and beyond. This global vision also extends to emerging markets, with regions such as Africa in their sights. By improving the speed and reliability of supply chains, Dronamics could help foster economic recovery in regions where poor logistics have historically hindered development.

Case Study: In parts of Africa, where ground transportation is often hampered by poor infrastructure, drone technology can ensure the timely delivery of essential goods like vaccines, medical supplies, and food. This has the potential to significantly improve health outcomes and support economic growth in these regions.

The need for safe drone operations

One of the biggest challenges to widespread drone adoption is ensuring airspace safety. The skies are already congested, and the mass deployment of drones could further complicate the situation. To address this, Italian company TopView, a leader in unmanned aerial vehicle systems, is working on solutions to monitor drones in very low airspace.

TopView’s CERTIFLIGHT initiative is developing systems that track the real-time location of drones via satellite. This data is shared with nearby aircraft, authorities, and drone operators, ensuring that drones can safely navigate busy skies without risk of collisions.

Ensuring security and avoiding accidents is critical, especially as the number of drones in use is expected to increase substantially. This makes the work of companies like TopView essential to the future success of drone logistics.

Expanding into commercial operations

Dronamics is already gearing up for the next phase of its journey: commercial drone operations. The company plans to launch its first commercial services in Greece, with Athens serving as the central hub, connecting remote parts of the country to its capital. This includes vital connections to the Aegean islands, which can benefit greatly from faster and more reliable cargo delivery.

The company’s production facilities are also ramping up, with plans to manufacture up to 300 drones per year. This rapid scale-up is being supported by the European Union, which sees the potential of drone technology in transforming industries like e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, and spare parts logistics.

With emerging economies in mind, Dronamics is also looking beyond Europe. The company’s focus on improving supply chains in underserved regions has the potential to drive significant economic growth, particularly in developing regions like Africa.

Related statistics: According to a report by the World Economic Forum, improving logistics efficiency can increase a country’s trade by up to 30%, and the use of innovative technologies like drones can be a critical part of achieving this.

The airspace over Europe is changing rapidly. As drone technology advances, the sky will no longer be the domain of large commercial aircraft alone. Companies like Dronamics are paving the way for a new era of air freight, one that is faster, more efficient, and environmentally sustainable.

With the right safety measures and infrastructure in place, drones could become an integral part of the global logistics network, transforming not just the way we transport goods, but also how economies develop and thrive.

Source: projects.research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu