Dronamics, the first cargo drone airline with a license to operate in Europe, and Qatar Airways Cargo have announced an interline agreement. The partnership marks the first interline agreement between an international airline and a cargo drone airline.
The interline agreement allows the extension of the delivery networks of both partners, significantly increasing their reach as well as providing access to areas previously hard to reach by traditional air freight. Through the agreement, Dronamics can offer cargo services from any of its drone-ports, initially in Greece, to the wider Qatar Airways Cargo network – including destinations such as Singapore, China, including Hong Kong, and the United States (JFK). Qatar Airways Cargo is able to access remote locations that Dronamics serves, such as the Greek islands, on the Dronamics cargo drone network.
Through this network expansion, Dronamics customers can make a single booking to transport goods from a Dronamics droneport to any destination that the interline joint network covers, and vice versa. The potential for the flow of goods, from pharma to food, from e-commerce, mail and parcels to spare parts, is significant, enabling rapid and reliable shipments to and from locations not sufficiently covered by air freight.
Dronamics is expected to begin commercial operations in Greece early next year, focusing on establishing a same-day service connecting Athens, the capital city, with the industrial north area of the country, as well as the islands in the south.
Earlier this year, Dronamics became the first cargo drone airline to obtain IATA and ICAO designator codes, granting it recognition on par with other international airlines, and the ability to issue air waybills to enable seamless bookings with its airline partners. This interline agreement is a crucial next step in Dronamics' plan to establish a cargo drone airline network with worldwide reach.