UPS receives FAA approval for drone deliveries in the US

UPS has received FAA approval for drone deliveries in the US through a Part 135 certification. The logistics company is now allowed to fly drones carrying more than 55 lbs, fly drones at night, and fly them beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS).

UPS receives FAA approval for drone deliveries

According to UPS, the “certification has no limits on the size or scope of operations.” However, don’t expect the logistics giant to start delivering your packages by drone in the immediate future. UPS will first start expanding its drone deliveries on hospital campuses around the country.

UPS is the first company to receive such a high-level certification for drones. Gizmodo reports that the Federal Aviation Administration “approved the first standard air carrier certification for drone operations to UPS.”

Since receiving the certification on September 27, UPS made its first official Part 135 drone delivery, flying medical supplies to the WakeMed hospital in Raleigh, NC.

UPS is planning to first increase drone deliveries to hospital campuses around the country before expanding to other areas and ultimately making deliveries to residential customers.

“When the (FAA) regulations are complete we certainly believe there are residential opportunities and other delivery opportunities that will help supplement the incredible group of drivers we have all over the world,” CEO David Abney told CNBC.

Currently, the FAA is working on six more Part 135 certification applications that were submitted under the UAS Integration Pilot Program.

#UPS makes history again! Today we become the 1st company to gain full approval to operate a drone airline. Check out this video for more about UPS Flight Forward. #Growth #Technology #UPSFleet pic.twitter.com/KRJHejTdQ9

— UPSers (@UPSers) October 1, 2019

Stay in touch!

If you’d like to stay up to date with all the latest drone news, scoops, rumors and reviews, then follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram or sign up for our daily email newsletter, that goes out every weekday at 6 p.m. ET.

Buy your next drone directly from manufacturers, such as DJI, Parrot, Yuneec or retailers like Adorama, Amazon, B&H, BestBuy, DroneNerds or eBay. By using our links, we will make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for helping DroneDJ grow!