The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Skyports Drone Services announced that trial flights using a small uncrewed aircraft to carry light cargo between lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Marine Terminal will begin on April 27, for 12 months.

The flights are scheduled to operate weekdays on a fixed route entirely over water, away from residential buildings and under the supervision of a certified drone pilot with the approval of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The yearlong trial will be the latest in the Port Authority's work to assess the viability of drone cargo routes that may one day be used to deliver goods around the region, removing vehicles from congested roads and supporting low-carbon delivery methods as an alternative to traditional middle-mile delivery of goods.

It follows a shorter two-week proof-of-concept test that was conducted in January by Skyports, in partnership with the Port Authority and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), using the same route, schedule and small uncrewed aircraft.

 (Source: Port of NY/NJ)

"The Port Authority has put small uncrewed aircraft to use for public service for many years already, from helping in demolition and construction of mega-structures around the region to the maintenance of our marine facilities from the water line up to the tallest heights of our bridges' cables and towers," said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole.

"More than 75 years ago, the Port Authority revolutionized how the entire world moves goods for commerce with the invention of containerized shipping at Port Newark. Now we are laying the groundwork for the next generation of cargo delivery in this region."

Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia noted that the movement of goods and people has changed dramatically and the port remains at the forefront of developments.

"As the operator of this region's network of airports, we are building on our experience and relationships to make drone cargo delivery a reality so that the entire region can benefit from fewer delivery vehicles on congested city streets and fewer emissions in the air we all breathe," she said.

Meanwhile, Skyports CEO Alex Brown said drones have proven themselves an effective tool for getting critical cargo from A to B, providing a quicker and cleaner alternative to regular road transport around the world.

"Whether it's traversing heavy traffic or tough terrain, drones have real potential to improve middle-mile logistics. We look forward to demonstrating their potential in New York over the next 12 months, helping to take vehicles off the road and improve the level of care provided to medical patients<' he said.

The Port Authority entered into a partnership with international drone operator Skyports in 2024, after Skyports responded to a 2023 agency request seeking operators interested in making drone cargo delivery a reality in the region. U.K.-based Skyports operates delivery and inspection drone services around the world.

Since 2023, it has been providing middle-mile drone deliveries in Scotland for Royal Mail, using drones to deliver mail to rural, remote areas, and in Germany where its drones delivered critical cargo to offshore wind turbines for RWE.

During the upcoming yearlong trial in New York City, Skyports drone will trial flying nonhazardous, non-sensitive, non-biological cargo such as light pharmaceuticals for a non-profit health system in New York City, with the goal to assess the impact and integration of drone deliveries for medical cargo on improving patient outcomes.

"We applaud the ongoing effort to support cargo drone operations along the East River through active coordination among vessel operators, pilots, federal partners, and port stakeholders, building on established communication frameworks that keep this complex harbor operating safely each day," said Stephen Lyman, executive director  of the Maritime Association of the Port of New York and New Jersey.

"This collaboration is enabling the seamless integration of drone cargo delivery in a way that enhances efficiency, safety, and public benefit across both the waterways and the airspace."

At the conclusion of the yearlong trial, the Port Authority and Skyports will assess the value, viability and impact of the trial and whether it could be expanded to cover similar cargo drone routes in the region. Skyports and the private New York healthcare system will also evaluate the service’s impact on patient outcomes and the possibility of implementing a permanent, regularly scheduled cargo drone service.

The Port Authority's cargo drone trial flights align with New York City's ongoing efforts to shift freight from the city's roadways to the water and sky through use of waterfront sites such as those in these trial flights.