Dronamics launches the first drone-based cargo airline, appoints COO

Dronamics has launched a cargo drone airline that will manage airfreight operations for same-day delivery services using The Black Swan, its proprietary unmanned drone.

The Black Swan can transport 350 kg of cargo in over 2,500 km for a cost that’s 50% and up lower than other airplanes. It flies autonomously, can be monitored and managed remotely via satellite, and the whole system costs less than a sports car.

Dronamics said the new Dronamics Airlines service will have subsidiaries in Ireland, Australia and Canada, which are countries viewed to be leaders in drone regulations.

They will also be the regions of the first customer cases that will be serviced in e-commerce, pharma and spare parts logistics, which will be revealed later this year.

“This is an important milestone for us, and we are thrilled by the talent we are attracting to our organisation that is embracing our vision to democratise airfreight,” said Svilen Rangelov, Co-Founder & CEO, Dronamics.

“We will continue enhancing our experienced management team who will provide additional expertise to deliver our first commercial flight in a near future,” he continued.

As part of its ramp-up for commercial operations, the company has appointed seasoned aviation executive Sergio Oliveira e Silva as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO), a new senior management team position.

Before joining Dronamics, Oliveira e Silva was the Managing Director for Gama Aviation Asia, a global aviation services public listed company.

In his over 25-year career, Oliveira e Silva has held executive-level positions with some of the industry’s largest operating companies within different international regions for privately held and publicly listed companies.

“I’m very much looking forward to being part of the team that will bring into the market the next-generation logistics networks for e-commerce, pharma, agriculture shipments, special cargo, and spare parts,” Oliveira e Silva said.

He continued that he is excited to be again involved in another successful pioneer venture within the aviation logistics industry,.

For his latest role, Oliveria e Silva will be responsible for the set-up and operations of the airline business, the deployment of the droneport network, and the upcoming operational authorisations under the fast-evolving drone regulations around the globe.

The appointment comes as the first step in building up Dromanics’ global structure that will support the roll-out of the same-day delivery service of the organisation,