DHL Express has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Lood Autonomous to explore the integration of Helly drones into its fleet operations. Teams from both companies will participate in operational workshops to identify priority routes and use cases for drone delivery of shipments.
According to Bucky Spiga, Vice President of Network Operations for the Middle East and North Africa at DHL Express, “We have maintained a strong market position as a global leader in international express delivery, thanks to our speed and efficiency. Traffic congestion is one of the major challenges in rapidly growing areas like the UAE. Therefore, innovations such as Lood’s Helly drones offer a sustainable solution to meet rising demand with high-quality service.”
Rashed Al-Manaei, CEO of Lood Autonomous, stated, “Our partnership with DHL Express reflects the UAE’s ambitions to lead in advanced air transportation and smart logistics on an international level. The Helly drone is an Emirati product specifically designed to address operational challenges in the region, from urban population density to traversing long distances comfortably. This collaboration positions the UAE at the forefront of autonomous shipping operations and supports its vision for a future-ready infrastructure. Through joint operational workshops, we will focus on route optimization, load balancing, reducing delivery times, and enhancing system interoperability to ensure safe and reliable service expansion.”
Lood Autonomous, established in 2023 in the UAE, is dedicated to transforming logistics through next-generation autonomous systems. The Helly drone is ideal for both mid-range and last-mile delivery, boasting a maximum payload of 250 kilograms, vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, and a flight range of 700 kilometers (with a 30-minute reserve). Additionally, it can operate at altitudes of up to 14,000 feet, enabling efficient performance even in challenging conditions.
DHL Express has been operational in the UAE for 50 years and currently manages a vast network comprising around 40 locations, including service centers, gateways, and facilities, along with a fleet of over 350 vehicles. The global leader in international express delivery conducts more than 150 daily flights from the UAE, utilizing its own fleet of aircraft.