Dronamics and Qatar Cargo sign world’s first cargo drone interline agreement
29 / 11 / 2023
Source: Dronamics
Dronamics and Qatar Airways Cargo have signed the first interline agreement between an international airline and a cargo drone airline.
The interline agreement enables the extension of the delivery networks of both partners, increasing their reach as well as providing access to areas previously hard to reach by traditional airfreight.
Through the agreement, Dronamics, which has a license to operate in Europe, can offer cargo services from any of its droneports, initially in Greece, to the wider Qatar Airways Cargo network – including destinations such as Singapore, China, including Hong Kong, and the US (JFK).
Qatar Airways Cargo is also able to access remote locations that Dronamics serves, such as the Greek islands, on the Dronamics cargo drone network.
Through this network expansion, Dronamics customers can make a single booking to transport goods from a Dronamics droneport to any destination that the interline joint network covers, and vice versa.
“We’re very excited to have the world’s largest air cargo carrier as our partner for the first-of-its-kind interline agreement with our category-defining cargo drone airline. While currently less than 1% of global trade moves by air, the vast global reach of Qatar Airways Cargo and their world-leading capacity and service give us the perfect platform to massively expand air cargo accessibility to countless more communities worldwide, enabling same-day delivery for everyone, everywhere,’’ said Svilen Rangelov, co-founder and chief executive of Dronamics.
“As a part of our VISION 2027 5-year strategy, we are committed to remaining at the forefront of our industry by embracing new disruptive technology,” added Elisabeth Oudkerk, senior vice president, cargo sales & network planning at Qatar Airways Cargo.
Dronamics is expected to begin commercial operations in Greece early next year, focusing on establishing a same-day service connecting Athens with the industrial north area of the country, as well as the islands in the south.
Earlier this year, Dronamics became the first cargo drone airline to obtain IATA & ICAO designator codes, granting it the ability to issue air waybills to enable bookings with its airline partners.
