Airbound, AP Join Hands for Mega Drone Logistics Network

In a major boost to its ambition of becoming India's next drone technology and logistics hub , the Andhra Pradesh Government has signed a landmark agreement with Bengaluru-based aerospace startup Airbound to establish a high-capacity commercial drone delivery network across the Amaravati Capital Region . Designed to handle up to 10,000 drone flights every day , the project is expected to transform urban logistics, healthcare deliveries and e-commerce services while positioning Amaravati among the country's most advanced smart mobility ecosystems.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Andhra Pradesh Drone Corporation (APDC) and Airbound in the presence of Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu . The agreement was formalized by APDC Chairperson and Managing Director Geethanjali Sharma and Airbound Founder and CEO Naman Pushp .

As part of the initiative, the two organisations will develop the Amaravati Capital Region Drone Delivery Network , linking Amaravati, Vijayawada and Guntur through dedicated drone corridors. The network will facilitate the rapid movement of medicines, diagnostic samples, emergency medical supplies, commercial goods and e-commerce parcels , significantly reducing delivery time and transportation costs compared to conventional road-based logistics.

The project will be implemented in phases, beginning with a pilot in Guntur district before expanding across Andhra Pradesh. Officials said the shared infrastructure will allow hospitals, logistics companies, retailers and online marketplaces to operate on a common drone delivery platform, improving efficiency and strengthening mid-mile connectivity .

Airbound will deploy its indigenously developed blended-wing-body tail-sitter drones , built using lightweight carbon-fibre composite materials . Each aircraft weighs just 1.5 kg while offering an industry-leading payload-to-weight ratio of 1.5:1 , enabling greater carrying capacity than conventional drones. According to the company, the technology can reduce logistics costs by up to 20 times . Airbound has already completed over 10,000 commercial drone flights nationwide, including 1,000-plus medical deliveries in partnership with Narayana Health in Bengaluru.

The initiative aligns with the Centre's push to expand India's drone ecosystem through the Drone Rules, 2021 , the Digital Sky platform , and the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for drone manufacturing. Industry experts believe such networks will play a vital role in the future of healthcare logistics, disaster response and last-mile delivery.

Speaking at the event, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu said the partnership reflects India's growing capabilities in indigenous aviation technology and will generate new opportunities for investment, employment and innovation. Geethanjali Sharma said Andhra Pradesh aims to emerge as a preferred destination for developing, testing and deploying next-generation drone technologies, with work on route mapping, regulatory approvals and corridor development set to begin shortly.