THAT’S AIR MAIL!
Xmas gift is Royal Mail’s first delivery by drone
HOW does a postman deliver a parcel to a remote lighthouse that his van can’t get to? By drone, of course.
Royal Mail has made the UK’s first drone package delivery on a Scottish island.
and the item sent on the Isle of Mull in this ground-breaking parcel? a jumper from Selfridges.
The postal group said it was the first step in its drone programme, which is aimed at making it easier to serve rural locations.
Using the aircraft to deliver parcels has been talked about for years – but this is the first time a nationwide UK parcel carrier has transported a real package using this unmanned technology. Royal
Mail will now consult with Mull residents to understand how best the drones could help and where they are needed. If the scheme is successful, it could then be extended to other remote areas.
as with normal deliveries, the postcode will direct the parcel towards its destination.
But the local postie will then use a drone to reach the most remote locations in their area faster.
Tom Nunn, the Mull postman who sent alexa Kershaw’s jumper on its way to her from Tobermory, said: ‘I am very pleased to be involved in this fantastic trial.
Some of the houses on the Isle of Mull include a 30-minute walk to the front door so the use of drones will be a huge help.’
Royal Mail has teamed up with established drone companies, including Skyports, which is using the technology to help NHS Scotland with its covid-19 response.
customers will be able to check if their property is suitable for these deliveries using the DronePrep platform. They can then pinpoint a suitable landing location.
Royal Mail said the drones are not intended to replace postmen and they cannot be used in cities such as London.
Nick Landon, of the postal group, said: ‘Delivering the first live parcel in the UK by an unmanned drone was a landmark day for us. We’ve seen a huge increase in parcel volumes this year and this is one of the ways we are looking at to support our frontline delivery staff.’
Royal Mail has warned of delivery delays this christmas due to high demand and social distancing rules at local mail centres.