Skydrop

SkyDrop, formerly known as Flirtey, is a drone delivery company that designs and builds drone delivery aircraft, enabling software, and launch platforms to provide store-to-door package delivery solutions. Founded in 2014, the company pioneered commercial drone delivery, conducting the first-ever FAA-approved drone delivery in the US in 2015. SkyDrop's drones are designed with advanced safety features, including a parachute recovery system, and can carry payloads of up to 3.5 kg. The company's delivery system allows for precision delivery from altitudes up to 60 meters.

SkyDrop's technology aims to make deliveries faster, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly by reducing traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. The company's drones are capable of completing deliveries within 15-45 minutes from the time an order is placed, with a range of up to 160 km in a single journey. In April 2023, SkyDrop received approval from New Zealand's Civil Aviation Authority to launch the country's first store-to-door drone delivery service in the town of Huntly. This approval included permission for certain beyond visual line of sight operations, marking a significant milestone for the company.

Key customers and partnerships

SkyDrop has partnered with several high-profile companies to test and implement its drone delivery technology. In January 2022, the company signed an agreement with Domino's Pizza Enterprises Limited to launch the second phase of commercial drone deliveries in New Zealand. The trial, which was set to commence in 2022, aimed to deliver hot Domino's pizzas from local stores to customers' homes using SkyDrop's advanced drone technology.

Additionally, SkyDrop has worked with 7-Eleven and FedEx to test its drone delivery capabilities. In the US, the company conducted a trial delivering 77 packages from 7-Eleven in Reno, Nevada. SkyDrop has also collaborated with Mesa Air Group, the regional operator for United and American Airlines, which became the first scheduled airline to launch drone delivery in the US

In New Zealand, SkyDrop engaged with local stakeholders in Raahui Pookeka (Huntly), including the Waahi Paa, who named one of SkyDrop's drones Te Kaahu (The Hawk). The company's efforts to expand its drone delivery services in New Zealand demonstrate its commitment to working with local communities and regulatory bodies to implement innovative delivery solutions.