FedEx, IIT Madras Complete India’s First Intra-City Drone Logistics Trials in Bengaluru

April 20, 2026 /Posted byPrajwal EW / 0

Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) have successfully completed India’s first intra-city drone delivery flight trials in Bengaluru, marking a major step in the evolution of urban logistics and future supply chains.

The trials demonstrated a mid-mile aerial logistics service connecting Electronic City Phase II with a site near Kempegowda International Airport. Conducted under the FedEx SMART Centre at IIT Madras, the initiative tested drone operations in complex urban airspace to evaluate their efficiency and potential to reduce dependence on road transport.

The study showed that a 53 km road journey, typically taking over an hour, could be replaced by a 39–42 km aerial route, reducing transit time to around 21 minutes. The flights were conducted at an altitude of 120 metres with required permissions from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, navigating designated airport zones. Safety systems included autonomous flight termination, return-to-home capability, and anti-collision lighting. The implementation partner for the trial was Amber Wings, a deep-tech start-up incubated at IIT Madras.

Nitin Navneet Tatiwala, vice president, marketing, customer experience, and air network, MEISA, FedEx, said, “This milestone reflects the FedEx SMART Centre’s broader research agenda across air cargo optimisation, electric vehicle integration, and advanced demand forecasting. Together, these efforts are focused on shaping future-ready, resilient and sustainable supply chain ecosystems in partnership with academia, industry and policymakers.”

Prof. Satyanarayanan R. Chakravarthy, core faculty member, FedEx SMART Centre, IIT Madras, said, “These trials represent a significant leap in our mission to create a sustainable and progressive supply chain model. By integrating advanced aerial robotics into urban logistics, we are moving beyond theoretical research to prove the efficacy of high-impact, future-ready solutions that can redefine the global logistics landscape.”

Prof. Arshinder Kaur, professor in-charge, FedEx SMART Centre, added, “The high-speed drone-delivery trials are a strong demonstration of the centre’s commitment to driving innovation across modern supply chains and accelerating cutting-edge technologies.”

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FedEx, IIT Madras Complete India’s First Intra-City Drone Logistics Trials in Bengaluru

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