£7 Million-Funded Medical Drone Delivery Trial Marked as a 'Technological Revolution'

Image Credit: AGS Airports

At Aberdeen International Airport's 90th anniversary celebration, Minister for Aviation and Maritime Mike Kane lauded a groundbreaking initiative that marks the dawn of a new era in aviation. This "technological revolution" involves the use of drones to deliver medical supplies, a project that recently saw laboratory samples flown from Edinburgh to Melrose in the Scottish Borders with remarkable efficiency.

Supported by over £7 million in UK government funding through Innovate UK's Future Flight Challenge, Project CAELUS—standing for Care & Equity - Healthcare Logistics UAS Scotland—features drones developed by Dronamics. These drones are CarbonNeutral certified and cut emissions by up to 60% compared to traditional transport methods. Remarkably, they have reduced a journey that typically takes up to five hours by road to just 35 minutes.

The initiative, spearheaded by AGS Airports, which oversees Aberdeen, Glasgow, and Southampton airports, unites 16 collaborators, including the University of Strathclyde, Arup, Dronamics, the Connected Places Catapult, and NHS Scotland. Together, they are piloting a UK-first distribution network for delivering essential medicines, blood, organs, and supplies throughout Scotland.

Since securing £1.5 million in funding in January 2020, the CAELUS consortium has crafted drone landing stations for NHS facilities across Scotland and developed a digital twin of a proposed network linking hospitals, pathology labs, distribution centres, and GP surgeries.

In his speech at the anniversary event, Kane highlighted the Aberdeen Airport-based project as a beacon for the "next era of aviation." "I am committed to supporting all industry stakeholders nationwide to adopt these innovative solutions that enhance regional connectivity and pave the way for a more sustainable future," he stated.

Andy Cliffe, CEO of AGS Airports, emphasised that the trial illustrates the airport's capacity to "mobilise and drive change for the better".

"It is well established that a region with strong connectivity will enjoy increased levels of trade and tourism," he said. "Since the first flight took to the skies in 1934, the airport has been integral to the region's success, and the Minister's support for further enhancing the northeast's links is extremely welcome. Fostering innovation is one of the ways we can achieve this, and through Project CAELUS, we have a real opportunity to revolutionise the way in which healthcare services are delivered across Scotland."

The successful completion of Project CAELUS' trial is a notable milestone, especially following the previous government's Future of Flight action plan unveiled in March. This plan set ambitious targets: introducing piloted flying taxis by 2026, regular drone deliveries by 2027, and autonomous flying taxi demonstrations by 2030.

During his visit to Aberdeen, Kane is anticipated to reaffirm the Department for Transport's commitment to advancing sustainable regional connectivity through innovative technologies, including drones, and a greater emphasis on sustainable aviation fuels.

Nevertheless, this development comes amidst growing pressure from environmental campaigners who urge the government to impose stricter regulations on regional airport expansions and enact policies to curb short-haul flights. Many experts express concern that the pace of green aviation technology advancements is insufficient to meet the sector's emission reduction goals.