UK mail soon to be delivered by drones.

The UK's first drone delivery service has been launched in Orkney to provide locals with their mail. Royal Mail and Skyports Drone Services have united to create the Orkney I-Port project, with support from Orkney Council Harbour Authority and LoganAir.

The initiative will see mail transported from Royal Mail's Kirkwall delivery office to Stromness, from where drones will distribute items directly to postal workers on Graemsay and Hoy. This will enable them to carry out their usual island delivery routes.

The service is initially set to operate for three months, but could be kept running on a permanent basis due to Orkney's unique landscape and the close proximity of the islands. It is expected to provide a much-needed boost to service levels and delivery times for Graemsay and Hoy, where weather and geography can present a challenge.

Safety is also an important factor, as the drones will help to minimize the risk associated with inter-island delivery. The project has been made possible by the Department for Transport's Freight Innovation Fund and the Connected Places Catapult.

Chris Paxton, head of drone trials at Royal Mail, said: "We are proud to be working with Skyports to deliver via drone to some of the most remote communities that we serve in the UK. Using a fully electric drone supports Royal Mail's continued drive to reduce emissions associated with our operations, whilst connecting the island communities we deliver to."

Alex Brown, director of Skyports Drone Services, added: "By leveraging drone technology, we are revolutionising mail services in remote communities, providing more efficient and timely delivery, and helping to reduce the requirement for emissions-producing vehicles. We're pleased to be once again partnering with Royal Mail to demonstrate how drone operations can benefit UK logistics on this project."

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