Guernsey in talks for drone delivery
GUERNSEY authorities have been in talks with a consortium of companies with a view to seeing how drones might benefit the Bailiwick.
Jersey announced recently that it had struck a deal with the
Alias (Agile Integrated Airspace System) consortium for drone trials to take place in the island in 2024.
This will test the safety of the technology and assess if there is any opportunity to improve the supply chain between Jersey, the UK and Europe, with the initial idea being that drones could carry medical equipment and commercial cargo.
But while Guernsey Ports said was not approached by Alias, another consortium has been in touch with the island, said a spokesman.
‘We’re talking about potentially working together to see how the future flight concept could work for the Bailiwick of Guernsey,’ he said.
Guernsey would be watching the trials in Jersey with interest.
The £3.7m. project is due to see flight trials in March and May 2024 with the take-off and landing sites likely to be close to the sea to limit drone activity over land.
The drones have 2m wing spans and will fly over a dedicated test area.
‘We have regular talks with the Ports of Jersey at different levels, so we were aware of the consortium being in touch and aware a little bit of what they are doing in the island,’ said the Ports spokesman.
‘We’re very excited to see what this technology can mean for the Channel Islands as a whole.’
