In Bengaluru, drones now deliver groceries and medicines to residents in under 10 minutes
"The delivery model involves a BigBasket storage facility within 5 km of the apartment complex. All orders for the community are routed through this facility. The drones, operated by Skye Air, have received DGCA approval, and the entire system is integrated for real-time tracking of drone movements," Avinash HV, Bengaluru Apartment Federation south president and Prestige Falcon City Resident Welfare Association (RWA) member told HT.com.
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In this case, deliveries are handled by a dedicated staff member stationed within the Falcon City project, who receives drone packages and ensures smooth handovers to residents. Orders weighing under 7kg are eligible for drone delivery, and the system can either batch multiple orders or send them individually, depending on demand. The drones do not have any cameras, making them neighbourhood-friendly, and they operate with satellite connectivity.
'Each delivery takes just 5 to 10 minutes, and service runs from 7 AM to 8 PM daily. Importantly, the cost to the customer remains unchanged,' Avinash said. "Our main objectives are to ensure faster service, improve efficiency, and reduce traffic congestion within the gated community, which previously saw multiple delivery partners making repeated trips."
Skye Air Mobility, the drone logistics company, plans to extend its quick commerce drone delivery service to at least 20 more housing societies over the next three months. The move aims to enhance doorstep delivery speed and efficiency through aerial logistics.
'We are currently handling 40–50 orders daily, and in quick commerce, speed is everything. Our batching system boosts efficiency,' Ankit Kumar, founder and CEO of Skye Air Mobility, told HT.com. He said that the company is eyeing expansion into key Bengaluru neighbourhoods such as Jayanagar, Bannerghatta Road, and the IT hub of Electronic City.
To support this growth, Skye Air is developing a dedicated Skye Pod Network—specialised infrastructure that allows residential societies to receive drone deliveries directly.
Currently, Skye Air operates with two drones but plans to deploy 25–30 drones to cover demand to meet the expansion targets.
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'A delivery rider typically manages 30 deliveries per day, earning about ₹800, while a drone can deliver 60 orders daily, effectively doubling efficiency,' Kumar explained. Additionally, drone delivery reduces the travel radius and carbon emissions.
'The aerial distance is nearly half of road routes, especially in traffic-heavy areas. We are looking to expand the delivery radius of dark stores from 1.8 km to 5 km in future, reducing the need for more dark store infrastructure and saving both capex and opex,' he said.
The operations rely on 3D-mapped, designated flight corridors and coordination with agencies like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The company currently flies in green and yellow zones, with necessary approvals from government agencies where applicable, he explained.
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Real estate experts say that while the idea of drone-based deliveries in quick commerce is exciting, its large-scale application across urban residential developments is still nascent.
"Regulatory clarity from both central and state authorities is crucial, as the use of drones in public zones currently lacks a comprehensive policy framework. Infrastructure, safety, and airspace coordination remain key concerns. Some gated communities may adopt drones in pilot phases, but at present, this remains experimental," Gulam Zia, senior executive director, Knight Frank India, said.
From a real estate perspective, its impact is minimal in the immediate term. Meaningful integration can only emerge once policies, infrastructure, and operational models are clearly established, he added.
Kumar acknowledged regulatory hurdles. 'While we get airspace approvals from civil aviation authorities, one of the biggest challenges is dealing with ground-level enforcement, like informing local police under Drone Rules 2021. Navigating these local complexities is a crucial part of scaling,' he said.
Despite challenges, Kumar believes drone delivery will not fully replace quick commerce logistics but will coexist and complement it, especially as automation increases and sustainability gains like reduced carbon emissions continue to drive adoption.
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