Fujairah International Airport has initiated a groundbreaking test operation for air cargo using a drone, marking the airport’s first experiment as a civil aviation hub. This process was executed in full compliance with safety regulations and international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), along with guidelines established by the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority.
The drone took off from the airport to deliver a shipment to a maritime platform located off the coast of Fujairah, introducing a new chapter in air logistics. This achievement demonstrates the significant potential of drone technology in expediting air cargo operations while minimizing environmental impact through reduced emissions.
Mohammed Al Salami, head of the Fujairah Civil Aviation Authority and vice president of the General Civil Aviation Authority, noted that this initiative was carried out in collaboration with Load Autonomous, a company specializing in independent air logistics technologies. He emphasized that this success results from a strategic and operational integration among all parties involved.
Karam Al Bloushi, the executive director of Fujairah Air Navigation Services, highlighted the high level of coordination achieved to conduct a commercial drone shipment in an active civil airport environment, maintaining stringent safety standards and operational efficiency.
Rashed Al Menai, CEO of Load, expressed that this milestone marks a pivotal moment in the UAE’s air logistics sector, proving for the first time that unmanned air cargo flights can be efficiently and safely conducted from civil airports to maritime platforms, with a clear potential for scalability.