Nairobi based cargo courier Astral Aviation is set to launch local drone network for goods delivery.
The company is said to be in the process of acquiring two Lucas F250 cargo drones to start local operations by 2019.
The F-250 is an unmanned aerial vehicle with a range extending 1,500 kilometers, endurance of up to 10 hours, a cruise speed of 150km/hour and maximum speed of 200km/hour.
[caption caption="Drone courier "]
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It has a cargo weight of up to 250 kilos, capacity for Euro-pallet dimensions, folding wings, a folding tail, fully autonomous take-off and landing, and waypoint navigation and landing.
The firm indicated it intends to use the drones to provide logistics services in aid and relief sectors, e-commerce, postal networks medical deliveries, schoolbooks and the oil, gas and mining sectors.
It also plans to acquire 10 more drones from Dubai-based manufacturer Falcon Drones Technology in 2019.
“We are delighted to have this order with exclusivity in Kenya,” Astral Aviation Chief Executive Sanjeev Gadhia stated.
He further mentioned that the firm will extend drone networks to East Africa and the rest of Africa in phases with Nairobi as the Central logistics hub.
Astral operates a cargo aircraft fleet of freighters within its intra-African network with an additional route to London.
Kenya legalized the use of drones early this year but with authorisation from the Kenya Civil Aviation Agency (KCAA).
Commercial drone operators are required to pay at least Ksh230,000 to be licensed while private users parting with at least Ksh110,000 for the same.
[caption caption="Astral Aviation CEO Sanjeev Gadhia"]
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