UPS has established a subsidiary to develop and implement unmanned air cargo systems, UPS Flight Forward. With the new company, UPS is aiming for approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct commercial drone flights.
The US transportation company has been delivering medical products by drone for some time. It now does so under the more limited FAA Part 107 regulations.
With UPS Flight Forward, UPS hopes to obtain Part 135 certification, which lays the groundwork for drone flights outside the driver's field of vision, which can take place both during the day and at night. Such flights are very limited in the United States and are approved only exceptionally. The company hopes to obtain the approval as early as this year. If so, UPS will be one of the first certified commercial drone operators in the United States.
"UPS is committed to using technology to transform the way we do business," said Scott Price, UPS chief transformation and strategy officer. "The establishment of a drone courier company and the start of regular operations under this certificate is a historic moment for UPS and for the drone and logistics industry more broadly."
