The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded the first ever air carrier certificate to a drone delivery company, Wing Aviation. The company is a subsidiary of Google (San José, US) and was previously referred to as Project Wing.
"This is an important step forward for the safe testing and integration of drones into our economy," US Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao said in a statement.
Wing Aviation welcomed the certification but refrained from disclosing its specific plans. It only said that it planned to "solicit feedback with the goal of launching a delivery trial later this year". Initially, the company will focus on food deliveries on behalf of unnamed customers and plans to launch in Blacksburg and Christiansburg, Virginia.
Having obtained its certificate, Wing Aviation is now cleared to launch commercial services at its will.
The certification followed extensive testing in Australia. Wing Aviation partnered with the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership and Virginia Tech in developing its autonomous, electrically-powered delivery drones.
