Volans-i, Inc., an on-demand drone delivery business based in San Francisco, CA, and Fli Drone, part of the Bahamas-based Hogfish Ventures group completed the first long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) delivery in The Bahamas on June 18, 2019. The flight reportedly marked the first time that a UAV operated in controlled airspace at an active commercial international airport outside of emergency operations.
According to a company press release: “The delivery originated at Abaco Aviation Services, a private FBO at The Leonard M. Thompson International Airport in Marsh Harbour and completed its delivery at Green Turtle Cay in 28 minutes. Previously this same delivery would require transit in both a car and on a ferry. Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities allowed the drone to land and safely deliver its payload without any infrastructure required. In total, the fully autonomous flight covered nearly 50 miles, crossing both land and water.”
Over the next 6-12 months Fli Drone will expand their on-demand aerial delivery services powered by Volans-i in The Bahamas to 70 plus locations serviced from two main hubs with a capacity of transporting 1,000 lbs. of cargo per day
“The Bahamas is the most opportunistic area in the world for UAV deployment and development. Our inter-island nation can greatly benefit from a streamlined supply chain, capable of delivering goods to any island with minimal infrastructure,” said Robert T. Sweeting, Hogfish Ventures CEO & Co-Founder.
“Bringing world-class UAV technology to The Bahamas is yet another example of Fli and Hogfish Ventures’ commitment to bridging the gap between Silicon Valley and The Bahamas,” said Hogfish Ventures CTO & Co-Founder, Arthur E. Frisch.
