Swoop Aero Obtains BVLOS Approval in Australia

By DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian M. Crosby

Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has granted Australian drone logistics company Swoop Aero BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line Of Sight) approval for medical logistics operations in Queensland. The approval lets Swoop Aero operate in a fully integrated airspace with an aerodrome based hub at the local airport in Goondiwindi. The integration will allow for access to safe and sustainable drone logistics spanning the entire area. The network will overcome distance as a barrier to healthcare access for surrounding regional communities, and make access to healthcare more convenient.

“Today is a proud milestone for Swoop Aero,” said Eric Peck, Swoop Aero’s CEO and co-founder. “The CASA approvals will see Swoop Aero drones launch right here in Australian skies. Our approvals are a testimony to our strong regulatory experience overseas, our operational excellence flying over 10,000 BVLOS missions across a number of countries and our strong operating procedures.”

The BVLOS approval is supported by a DG (Dangerous Goods) approval, allowing the company to deliver critical medical supplies where they are needed whilst maintaining chain of custody.

“Australia’s Airspace rapidly transforming to account for new airspace users such as drone logistics. We are proud to be leading the way in how to make this transformation a sustainable one to ensure our skies remain safe for traditional and emerging airspace users alike, as well as the broader community,” added Zac Kennedy, Director of Regulatory Affairs. “To that effect, we sit on and lead multiple government working groups to co-design the regulatory framework that promotes air mobility safety and innovation to overcome supply barriers.”

Scheduled to begin this month, Swoop Aero’s operations will be co-located with the local Goondiwindi airport, safely integrating manned and unmanned operations.

“These operations will quickly connect Australian regional patients with medical supplies and equipment, including in emergency situations. Right now the region is facing flooding, and participating recipients who would traditionally be isolated, have access to on demand critical supplies” said Daniel Scandar, Swoop Aero’s Australian Operations Manager. “We can also complete the circle of telehealth for rural patients by providing on-demand medical logistics via air. The potential for drone logistics to connect Australians is immense, and it’s incredible to be on the forefront of operations with Swoop Aero”.

Read more about Swoop Aero and 5G innovation funding; African drone delivery, Swoop Aero’s Kite, and medical drone delivery projects in Australia.

Ian attended Dominican University of California, where he received a BA in English in 2019. With a lifelong passion for writing and storytelling and a keen interest in technology, he is now contributing to DroneLife as a staff writer.