Glasgow Airport Supports Drone Scheme

Drones will soon be used to deliver essential medicine, blood and organs throughout Scotland.

13:34 23 January 2021

An innovative scheme could see drones flying from Glasgow Airpot delivering medicine, blood and organs throughout Scotland. The project, which is the first of its kind in the UK, is participated by the University of Strathclyde, air traffic control provider NATS and AGS Airports, which owns and runs the Paisley transport hub. 

 

The Care & Equity - Healthcare Logistics UAS Scotland (CAELUS) project, which is funded by the UK Industrial Strategy Future Flight Challenge Fund, aims to demonstrate how autonomous drone technology can enhance access to essential medical suppliers, particularly in rural parts of Scotland. 

 

Derek Provan, chief executive of AGS Airports, said: “This project has the potential to completely revolutionise the way in which healthcare services are delivered in Scotland.

 

“ Not only does drone technology have the ability to speed-up the delivery of critical medical supplies, it could reduce waiting times for test results and, more importantly, help provide equity of care between urban and remote rural communities.

 

“The organisations within this consortium are some of the most skilled and experienced in drone technology.

 

“The funding from UK Industrial Strategy will allow us to work together to overcome some of the challenges associated with scaling drone operations to deliver a transport network that is technically, socially and financially viable.

 

“Although our focus is on healthcare, the CAELUS project could pave the way for the deployment of drone-enabled logistics in other sectors and has the potential to change the way airspace is used by manned and unmanned vehicles.

 

“It also has clear environmental benefits as it will play a key role in reducing the carbon emissions generated by existing, road-based distribution networks within Scotland.”