- Low-altitude logistics expands routes, improves delivery times
- High-value goods drive early adoption in urban districts
Hangzhou has rolled out a commercial drone delivery network across multiple districts, with local authorities and companies pushing “air express” services as a faster alternative to ground logistics.
By the end of March, the city had launched 14 drone routes linking five takeoff and landing sites across districts including Yuhang, Shangcheng and Gongshu, completing about 2,500 paid orders and 2,400 flights with no reported safety incidents.
Under normal conditions, drone deliveries are 20% to 30% faster than ground transport, with time savings widening to as much as 40% to 50% during peak traffic or adverse weather such as light rain or snow.
The model has gained momentum over the past six months, targeting dense commercial zones, office clusters and residential neighborhoods.
Local operator Antwork (迅蚁) said its aircraft, which carry payloads under 9 kilograms and within compact dimensions, are primarily used for high-value items such as documents and electronics.
Demand has been strongest for time-sensitive goods, reflecting a willingness among users to pay for faster delivery.
The company began urban drone delivery trials in 2018 and has since expanded to more than 60 cities nationwide, completing over 650,000 flights.
Beyond Hangzhou
Similar efforts are emerging elsewhere in China. Meituan said its drone delivery service, launched in Shenzhen in 2021, has handled more than 600,000 orders across over 5,000 communities, with average delivery times of about 15 minutes—roughly half of traditional courier services.
Meanwhile, JD Logistics (京东物流) has introduced low-altitude delivery routes in Chongqing, including flights of up to 16.8 kilometers with payloads of up to 15 kilograms, targeting urgent and high-value shipments.
Officials say drone-based point-to-point transport can help ease bottlenecks in urban logistics, particularly where traffic congestion or terrain limits ground delivery, aligning with the growing demand for faster fulfillment in instant retail.
“When ground delivery is constrained by traffic congestion or terrain, drones can effectively boost logistics capacity. Consumers who prioritize speed are also willing to pay for it,” said Zhong Biqiang, deputy head of low-altitude operations at Hangzhou’s transport management center.
