Uncrewed BVLOS cargo operations tested at Milan Malpensa

Milan Malpensa Airport has announced that the first beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) test flight using electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) drones to transport cargo took place during the night of July 8-9. 

The Techno Sky NIMBUS drone was flown between Malpensa and a logistics warehouse. Full operation of the airport was maintained during the test flight. The NIMBUS made an 8 km round trip route, twice, carrying a small package.

The following night, a further test flight was conducted to another warehouse, completing a 7 km round trip.

These night test flights will be followed by further flights operated by Telespazio with Dronus, and other operators during autumn 2024 as part of the Italian demonstration cluster coordinated by Italian air navigation services provider, ENAV.

The goal is to develop and hone cargo transport operations by drone in order to enable the U-space U1 and U2 services provided by D-Flight. It is hoped that flight activities from the Cargo City of Malpensa will be able to contribute to large-scale drone delivery services, providing a sustainable alternative to road transport. The objectives are part of the European U-ELCOME DSD Project, coordinated by EUROCONTROL in the context of the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking consortium, and co-funded by the European Union.