Drone Delivery Firms Zipline, Wing Prepare to Ramp Up Service

Zipline plans to expand to the U.K., while Wing was approved for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flights without visual observers.

Jack Daleo

Monday, December 18, 2023 at 04:36 PM ET

Verified

Edited By: Luke Venable

A Zipline drone drops a medical payload using a parachute. [Courtesy: Zipline]

Key Takeaways:

Zipline is set to significantly expand its medical drone delivery service within the U.K.'s NHS, partnering with Apian to provide faster, cheaper, and zero-emission delivery of prescriptions and medical products starting in fall 2024.
Wing, a Google subsidiary, received FAA approval for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations without visual observers, beginning in Dallas, which will enable more efficient and scalable drone deliveries across the U.S.
These developments by Zipline and Wing, the world's leading drone delivery providers, enhance their operational capabilities and market dominance, pushing the industry closer to widespread scaled delivery.

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Drone delivery firms Zipline and Wing—the two largest providers in the world by sheer volume—are looking to extend their dominance.

Zipline on Monday announced plans to significantly expand a medical drone delivery initiative within the U.K.’s National Health Service (NHS) in collaboration with Apian—which, interestingly, partnered with Wing in August. The program will roll out in fall 2024.