UK's first drone mail service extended in Orkney

The drone service was launched last year

The UK's first commercial drone mail service, in Orkney, is to be extended to 2026, it has been announced.

The Orkney I-Port operation was launched by Royal Mail and drone firm Skyports in August last year.

The electric drones take letters and parcels between islands, where staff then complete their usual delivery routes.

The service will now run until at least February 2026.

Poor weather and the area's geography can often cause disruption to deliveries in Orkney.

The aim of the drone service has been to improve delivery times and service levels.

A daily inter-island mail distribution delivery was established between Stromness, in the Orkney mainland, and the islands of Graemsay and Hoy.

There have been more than 500 flights so far.

'Harsh rural environments'

Alex Brown, director of Skyports Drone Services, said: "Our Orkney flights with Royal Mail demonstrate the viability of long-term drone operations and highlight the role that new aviation technologies can play in supporting essential public services."

He said the next phase of work in Orkney would explore how 5G could support drone operations in "harsh rural environments" and aid other future projects.

Chris Paxton, the Universal Service Obligation (USO) programme manager at Royal Mail, said the "successful trial" meant deliveries were quicker, more reliable and more environmentally-friendly.

Councillor Kristopher Leask, chairman of Orkney's development and infrastructure committee, added: "The now proven operational ability of drone delivery technology for our postal service has shown how island communities can benefit from innovation."

Lab specimens

Last week, it was announced NHS lab specimens had been flown by drone for the first time in Scotland between two health boards.

The flight took place between the Edinburgh BioQuarter next to the city's Royal Infirmary, and Borders General Hospital in Melrose.

The trial - involving NHS Lothian and NHS Borders - was part of Project CAELUS - led by AGS Airports in partnership with NHS Scotland.

The aim is to cut the time it takes to deliver the specimens which are used to inform urgent clinical decision-making.