Edmonton 
Edmonton International Airport (EIA) has become the first airport to launch a drone delivery operation from within an airport.
According to the news release, Drone Delivery Canada’s Sparrow drone successfully flew from the EIA Airport Operations Facility to Pat Wilson Memorial Park within the Nisku business district in Leduc County marking the first time this type of activity has been approved by NAV CANADA.
Edmonton International Airport
Any drone activity around all Canadian airports is highly restricted for safety and is forbidden without proper authorization. Edmonton International Airport and Drone Delivery Canada worked with NAV CANADA to create new approvals and safety procedures to make this and future flights possible.
EIA says these initial flights will create the template for future operations that could include deliveries into populated areas, such as Edmonton or other major centres, as well as Indigenous communities and Northern communities.
This was part of Edmonton International Airport and Drone Delivery Canada’s trials for commercial drone cargo delivery within controlled air space. EIA hopes to become the world’s first regularly scheduled commercial drone delivery service from an airport.
As part of the trails, the Sparrow drone will be carrying commercial cargo packages on behalf of Ziing Final Mile and Apple Express on a trial basis. Air Canada Cargo is the official agent for DDC’s drone delivery services across Canada.
EIA says drivers and residents near the airport may see the Sparrow drone flying across the Queen Elizabeth II Highway between the airport and the secondary landing location in Leduc County in the coming months.
