Drone delivery service launches in China’s Greater Bay Area, slashing transport time and costs between cities

Flight between Zhongshan and megacity of Shenzhen takes around 45 minutes and costs 40 yuan (US$5.60) per order, according to UAV-maker Phoenix Wings

The company, backed by Chinese logistics giant SF Express, says the service can be used for emergency support and rapid transport of goods

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The drone delivery service between Shenzhen and Zhongshan will operate six days a week and can carry goods weighing up to 20kg (44lbs). Photo: X / @ThisisZhongshan

Published: 3:00pm, 14 Apr 2024

A new commercial cargo drone route launched in southern China’s Greater Bay Area on Friday, delivering goods by air while cutting intercity transport time by nearly an hour.

The 70km (43-mile) flight between Shenzhen and Zhongshan – both in Guangdong province – takes the unmanned aerial vehicle around 45 minutes. It costs 40 yuan (US$5.60) per delivery order, to be completed within four hours, and can transport goods weighing up to 20kg (44lbs).

Drone manufacturer Phoenix Wings said in a WeChat post that the drone has an average cruising speed of 108km/h (67mph) and could be used for emergency support, intercity rapid delivery and offshore logistics.

Its service runs six days a week from 9am to 6pm, with exceptions for extreme weather events and airspace control.

The Germany-based firm is backed by parent company SF Express, a major Chinese logistics service provider.

Zhongshan transport bureau chief Cao Fuquan said the launch of the first cross-water low-altitude logistics route in the Greater Bay Area would boost the efficiency of express delivery between the two cities and reduce costs.

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