Automated Cargo Delivery in Low Altitudes: Business Cases and Operating Models

The project Automated Low Altitude Air Delivery (ALAADy) focuses on a transportation drone supposed to transport one metric ton of goods over a distance of 600 km with a cruise speed of 200 km/h. The aircraft is planned to operate under a newly established category of certification (EASA’s Specific category) that is intended to make certification less constraining and operations more affordable and equally safe compared to other means of air transportation. The present chapter introduces two possible applications of this aircraft, namely a commercial flight network for the delivery of agricultural spare parts in Europe, and a catastrophe relief mission for overflooded areas. In order to illustrate the parameters of the respective operations, both concepts are assessed using cost models as well as flight schedules and mission trajectories, respectively. This chapter’s purpose is to give impressions on the operational environments, particularly regarding economics and business-case establishment, that longer-range transportation drones have to comply with.