Drone Delivery Canada Corp. (DDC) announced that with the assistance of its sales agent, Air Canada, it has entered into multiple commercial agreements at Edmonton International Airport (YEG).

This also includes deals with Apple Express Courier Ltd., BBE Expediting Ltd., and MFN Management Inc. to deploy DDC's patented drone delivery solution at Edmonton International Airport.

DDC said the agreements, with an aggregate value of US$417,000, will run for a 12-month duration.

"Pursuant to the terms of the agreements, DDC will expand the defined route delivery from YEG with an additional DroneSpot™ at a medical clinic located in the city of Leduc, Alberta," it said.

"Cargo delivery will take place from YEG to the medical clinic while also maintaining the current delivery route from YEG to the off-airport DroneSpot™ in Leduc County, which formed the delivery route for the first phase of the project," it added.

DDC noted that all operations will be conducted in accordance with applicable Canadian regulations and/or Transport Canada special approvals with flights remotely piloted by DDC from its Operations Control Centre located in Vaughan, Ontario.

Additionally, the Canary Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) will be used on this route once operational.

"DDC will commence deployment of the site infrastructure shortly and expects to begin providing drone delivery services under the commercial agreements later in 2024," the announcement said.

It added that the YEG drone delivery project, which began with the execution of an agreement with YEG in 2019, became commercially operational in May 2022.

During the first phase of the project, over 2,400 flights with a total flight distance of over 6,500km were completed.

DDC said the new agreements add a second leg to the operations originating out of the central DroneSpot™ at YEG.

"We are very pleased to sign these new agreements as part of the next phase of our operations at Edmonton International Airport, as well as introducing two new partners as part of the agreements. This next phase will enable us to further expand our delivery capabilities, showcase our Canary RPA, and explore new use cases for RPA delivery within the YEG area," said 
Steve Magirias, CEO of Drone Delivery Canada.

Meanwhile, Myron Keehn, president & CEO of YEG, noted that as drone delivery demand builds, the airport continues to safely innovate the process through a collaborative approach with our partners.

"We are proud to advance sustainable solutions to first and final-mile delivery at Edmonton International Airport and the surrounding region. Part of our commitment to being net zero by 2040 is creating opportunities for sustainable transportation and aviation, and we are excited to continue supporting and enhancing the future of drone delivery in the Edmonton Metro Region," he added.