Federal Express Corporation, the world’s largest express transportation company, and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) have successfully completed India’s first intra-city drone delivery flight trials in Bengaluru.
Boost to urban logistics
The trials mark a significant milestone in the evolution of urban logistics and reinforce FedEx’s commitment to advancing next-generation, technology-enabled supply chains in India.
Mid-mile logistics validation
The trials validated a mid-mile aerial logistics service connecting Electronic City Phase II with a site near Bangalore International Airport Limited. Conducted under the research framework of the FedEx SMART Centre at IIT Madras, the initiative tested high-speed drone operations in complex urban airspace and assessed their potential to enhance network efficiency and reduce reliance on congested road infrastructure.
Global innovation push
The trials form part of FedEx’s broader global efforts to explore innovative, safe, and scalable logistics solutions for the future.
Shaping future-ready, supply chain ecosystems
Commenting on this successful trial, FedEx Vice President of Marketing, Customer Experience, and Air Network, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Africa (MEISA), Nitin Navneet Tatiwala, said, “Innovation is central to how FedEx enables global commerce. This milestone reflects the FedEx SMART Centre’s broader research agenda across air cargo optimisation, electric vehicle integration, and advanced demand forecasting. Together, these efforts are focused on shaping future-ready, resilient, and sustainable supply chain ecosystems in partnership with academia, industry, and policymakers.”
Efficiency gains demonstrated
Through detailed analysis of aerial corridors, the IIT Madras FedEx SMART Centre established that a 53 km road journey, which typically takes over 60 minutes, can be replaced by an aerial route of approximately 39–42 km. During the trials, this reduced one-way transit time to nearly 21 minutes, demonstrating the potential for step-change improvements in time-critical logistics. The flight path involved coordinated navigation through Airport Yellow and Red Zones, with all necessary permissions granted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
Academic perspective
IIT Madras FedEx SMART Centre core faculty member Prof. Satyanarayanan R. Chakravarthy said, “These trials represent a significant leap in our mission to create a sustainable and progressive supply chain model. By integrating advanced aerial robotics into urban logistics, we are moving beyond theoretical research to prove the efficacy of high-impact, future-ready solutions that can redefine the global logistics landscape.”
Long-term impact
Highlighting its long-term impact on Indian logistics, FedEx SMART Centre Professor-in-Charge Prof. Arshinder Kaur added, “The high-speed drone delivery trials are a strong demonstration of the centre’s commitment to driving innovation across modern supply chains and accelerating cutting-edge technologies.”
Operational framework
Operations were conducted at an altitude of 120 metres as per guidelines. Safety systems included an autonomous flight termination system, return-to-home capability, and anti-collision strobe lighting. The implementation partner for this landmark trial was Amber Wings, a pioneering deep-tech start-up incubated at IIT Madras and founded by the FedEx SMART Centre’s core faculty member, Prof. Satyanarayanan R. Chakravarthy.