Air Mail: Orkney Residents to Receive Post By Drone

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Summary:

  • The Royal Mail and Skyports are launching the UK's first permanent drone delivery service in the Orkney Islands.
  • The drones will be used to transport mail and packages from the Kirkwall Delivery Office to designated islands.
  • The proximity of the islands allows the use of existing CAA permissions for drone flights.
  • The drone deliveries offer faster and more eco-friendly postal services, reducing carbon emissions.
  • The trial period of three months will determine the feasibility of expanding the service to other areas.

The Royal Mail and Skyports drone services are collaborating to introduce the UK's first permanent drone delivery service in the Orkney Islands, just off Scotland's north coast. This innovative delivery method aims to provide faster and eco-friendly postal services to the island residents.


Throughout its long history, the Royal Mail has utilized various transportation modes, including planes, trains, and quad bikes, to deliver mail. Now, the residents of the Orkney Islands will experience a cutting-edge approach with the introduction of drone deliveries. The drone delivery service will operate between the Kirkwall Delivery Office on Orkney's main island and Strum Ness, from where drones will transport items to staff on Graemsey and Hoy for further distribution.

The decision to deploy drone deliveries in the Orkney Islands was influenced by the islands' close proximity, allowing the use of existing CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) permissions for drone flights. Notably, these drones are fully electric, contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions and aligning with the ongoing sustainability efforts of the Royal Mail.

Explaining the operational process, a Royal Mail representative stated that a postie packs a box with mail and packages, which is then handed over to a drone operator. The drone is loaded with the box and flown to the designated island. Upon landing, the drone releases the box, which the postie collects and uses for the last mile delivery to residents' houses.

The drone delivery service is already proving advantageous, as residents receive their mail approximately 24 hours earlier compared to the conventional ferry and van service. This promising trial will continue for three months on Orkney, and if successful, it opens up the possibility of extending this efficient air mail service to other remote islands and hard-to-reach areas across the UK.


The introduction of drone deliveries is expected to revolutionize postal services in the Orkney Islands, offering faster and more reliable mail distribution. With the potential for future expansion to other remote regions, this innovative approach represents a significant step towards modernizing mail delivery across the UK.

Location: London, UK

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