In Dubai, a city where the skyline is a canvas for ambition, the hum of drones is becoming the sound of progress. As part of its relentless pursuit to redefine urban living, Dubai has positioned itself at the forefront of drone delivery systems, with companies like SkyGo and Jeebly leveraging cutting-edge technology to transform last-mile logistics. In 2025, these efforts are scaling up, with trials expanding across Dubai South and Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), aligning seamlessly with the emirate’s vision for smart mobility and sustainability. This initiative, rooted in the Dubai Program to Enable Drone Transportation launched in 2021, is not just a technological leap but a bold step toward reimagining how goods move in a city of 3.7 million. Yet, as drones take to the skies, questions linger about scalability, public acceptance, and environmental trade-offs, even as residents and logistics firms herald the promise of a faster, greener future.

The foundation of Dubai’s drone ambitions was laid with the Dubai Sky Dome policy in 2018, followed by the 2021 launch of the Dubai Program to Enable Drone Transportation under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. This program has fostered public-private partnerships, with Dubai South—a 145-square-kilometer economic zone—and DSO serving as testing grounds. In October 2023, Jeebly LLC, a UAE-based logistics provider, and Skye Air Mobility, India’s largest SaaS-based drone delivery company, conducted a groundbreaking three-week Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) trial in DSO. The trial, supported by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Dubai Future Foundation, used Skye Air’s Skye Ship One drone—equipped with proprietary navigation, parachutes, and collision-avoidance systems—to deliver consumer goods like snacks and small packages in under four minutes. By December 2024, Sheikh Hamdan placed the first order through a new drone delivery system, signaling plans to expand coverage to 33% of Dubai by 2030, a milestone that underscores the city’s commitment to the D33 Economic Agenda, which aims to double the economy through innovation.

The logistics impact is profound. Last-mile delivery, which accounts for up to 53% of shipping costs globally, is a bottleneck in urban centers like Dubai, where traffic congestion on roads like Sheikh Zayed can delay deliveries. Drones bypass this, offering speed and precision. For instance, trials in Dubai South, a hub for logistics and aviation, have demonstrated drones’ ability to deliver medical supplies and e-commerce packages to densely populated or remote areas, reducing delivery times by up to 70% compared to vans. Raman Pathak, CEO of Jeebly, emphasized, “This explorative drone project represents an effective and environmentally responsible solution for small to medium-sized packages, in line with the Universal Postal Union’s sustainable development objectives.” Logistics firms like SkyGo, which launched in Abu Dhabi in 2022 with a 40-station network for healthcare deliveries, are now expanding into Dubai, focusing on cost-effective, eco-friendly solutions. Studies, such as one from the University of North Texas, estimate drone deliveries cost $1.23 per package versus $5.33 for a four-mile van delivery, making them a game-changer for businesses.

Sustainability is a key driver. Drones, powered by electricity, produce up to 94% less energy per package than traditional vehicles, aligning with Dubai’s Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which targets 75% clean energy by mid-century. By reducing road-based deliveries, drones also ease traffic congestion, a pressing issue in a city that welcomed 92 million passengers through its airport in 2024. Eng. Muammar Al Katheeri, Chief Officer of Engineering and Sustainability at Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority, noted, “DSO has placed the highest priority on supporting entrepreneurs who utilize advanced technologies to offer smart city solutions.” The 2023 BVLOS trials, conducted over 18 months, included rigorous safety tests, ensuring drones can operate in Dubai’s extreme heat and urban density without compromising safety or reliability.

Residents, however, have mixed feelings. For some, like Ayesha Khan, a Dubai Marina resident, drones promise convenience: “Getting groceries or medicine in minutes without traffic delays is incredible.” Others, like Khalid Al Mansouri, a Deira shopkeeper, express concerns about noise and privacy, noting, “Drones buzzing overhead feel intrusive, and I worry about accidents.” Research from the International Journal of Logistics Management highlights societal concerns, including wildlife interference and collision risks, though Dubai’s drones incorporate low-noise propellers and multi-sensor positioning to mitigate these. Public acceptance remains a hurdle, with a 2022 Milan study showing only 60% of urban residents favor drone deliveries due to privacy fears.

With plans to integrate drones into 33% of the city’s logistics network by 2030, supported by events like Hypermotion 2025 showcasing smart mobility, Dubai is poised to redefine last-mile delivery. As drones weave through the city’s airspace, they carry not just packages but the promise of a smarter, greener urban future—provided the emirate can navigate the complexities of scaling this aerial revolution.

Photo credits: Dubai Silicon Oasis.

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.