Alibaba hits the sky delivering tea by drone in three mainland cities
But Taobao service is limited to one brand and runs for just three days in three cities
Mainland e-commerce giant Alibaba yesterday tested its first drone delivery service, promising to whisk ginger tea to customers within an hour despite tight controls on airspace.
Alibaba's flagship consumer-to-consumer marketplace Taobao, estimated to hold more than 90 per cent of the mainland market for such transactions, showed off a photo of a black-and-silver helicopter-style drone carrying a white box to launch the service.
But the option is confined to just three days and a few areas of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. It also applies only to one brand of tea from one particular vendor, and just 450 deliveries.
"For consumers ... such a cool consumption experience will give them more surprises," Taobao said in a statement.
Mainland airspace is strictly controlled, with the majority used by the military. The government allows limited use of civil drones for activities ranging from rescue to observation.
Alibaba said in a statement the logistical arrangements were being handled by courier company YTO Express, which had received the necessary regulatory approvals for the trial service.