FedEx has announced that, in collaboration with drone delivery company Wing Aviation, it has performed the first scheduled unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) commercial residential delivery in the United States. The FedEx Express package delivery was made to a home in Christiansburg, Virginia, and is part of a trial program operating under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Pilot Program (IPP).
FedEx is the first company authorized by the FAA to perform scheduled commercial package delivery via UAS to residential addresses. During the trial program, FedEx customers within designated delivery zones in Christiansburg will be able to opt in to Wing’s drone delivery service, receiving eligible packages via the service as long as certain operating conditions are met.
For this pilot program, Wing have also partnered with Walgreens, allowing program participants to order health and wellness products through Wing’s delivery app. FedEx is also participating in the UAS IPP in conjunction with the Memphis Shelby-County Airport Authority, conducting drone operations on airport property to generate data that will help inform future UAS policymaking in the United States.
Don Colleran, President & CEO of FedEx Express, said: “Innovation has been part of the FedEx DNA since day one, and we are always looking for new and better ways to deliver the world to our customers’ doorsteps,” said . “For our customers in Christiansburg, this collaboration will test the latest innovation in the last mile of a residential package delivery. We hope that this latest addition to our delivery options will enhance the last mile service for urgent same-day deliveries, customers in rural or semi-rural areas, and other exceptional delivery needs.”
