FedEx and IIT Madras Successfully Complete India’s First Urban Drone Logistics trials

Chennai, April 14, 2026: Federal Express Corporation, the world's largest express transportation company, and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) have successfully completed India's first intra-city drone delivery flight trials in Bengaluru.

The trials mark a significant milestone in the evolution of urban logistics and reinforce FedEx's commitment to advancing next-generation, technology-enabled supply chains in India.

The trials validated a mid-mile aerial logistics service connecting Electronic City Phase II with a site near Bangalore International Airport Limited. Conducted under the research framework of the FedEx SMART Centre at IIT Madras, the initiative tested high-speed drone operations in complex urban airspace and assessed their potential to enhance network efficiency and reduce reliance on congested road infrastructure. The trials form part of FedEx's broader efforts globally to explore innovative, safe, and scalable logistics solutions for the future.

Commenting on this successful trial, Nitin Navneet Tatiwala, vice president of marketing, customer experience, and air etwork, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Africa (MEISA), FedEx, said, "Innovation is central to how FedEx enables global commerce. This milestone reflects the FedEx SMART Centre's broader research agenda across air cargo optimisation, electric vehicle integration, and advanced demand forecasting. Together, these efforts are focused on shaping future-ready, resilient and sustainable supply chain ecosystems in partnership with academia, industry and policymakers."

Through detailed analysis of aerial corridors, the IIT Madras FedEx SMART Centre established that a 53 km road journey, which typically takes over 60 minutes, can be replaced by an aerial route of approximately 39-42 km. During the trials, this reduced one-way transit time to nearly 21 minutes - demonstrating the potential for step-change improvements in time-critical logistics. The flight path involved coordinated navigation through Airport Yellow and Red Zones, with all necessary permissions granted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

Elaborating on the technical significance of this successful trial for India, Prof. Satyanarayanan R Chakravarthy, core faculty member, FedEx SMART Centre, IIT Madras, said, "These trials represent a significant leap in our mission to create a sustainable and progressive supply chain model. By integrating advanced aerial robotics into urban logistics, we are moving beyond theoretical research to prove the efficacy of high-impact, future-ready solutions that can redefine the global logistics landscape."

Highlighting its long-term impact for Indian Logistics, Prof. Arshinder Kaur, professor in-charge, FedEx SMART Centre added, "The high-speed drone-delivery trials are a strong demonstration of the centre's commitment to driving innovation across modern supply chains and accelerating cutting-edge technologies.

Technical Parameters
Operations were conducted at an altitude of 120 metres as per guidelines. Safety systems included an autonomous flight termination system, return-to-home capability and anti-collision strobe lighting. The implementation partner for this landmark trial was Amber Wings-a pioneering deep-tech start-up incubated at IIT Madras and founded by the FedEx SMART Centre's Core Faculty Member, Prof. Satyanarayanan R. Chakravarthy.

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About FedEx:
FedEx connects people and possibilities around the world through a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce, and business services. Its commitment to innovation and technology extends to fostering partnerships that empower the next generation of engineers and entrepreneurs.
Media contact: Tasneem Poonawala | [email protected] | 9892542705

ABOUT IIT MADRAS
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) was established in 1959 by the Government of India as an 'Institute of National Importance.' The activities of the Institute in various fields of Science and Technology are carried out in 18 academic departments and several advanced interdisciplinary research academic Centres. The Institute offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes leading to B.Tech., M.Sc., M.B.A., M.Tech., M.S., and Ph.D., degrees in a variety of specialisations. IITM is a residential institute with more than 650 faculty and 10,000 students. Students from 18 countries are enrolled here. IITM fosters an active entrepreneurial culture with strong curricular support and through the IITM Incubation Cell.

Recognized as an Institution of Eminence (IoE) in 2019, IITM has been ranked No.1 in the 'Overall' Category for the Seven consecutive year in India Ranking 2025 released by National Institutional Ranking Framework, Ministry of Education, Govt. of India. The Institute has also been ranked No.1 in the 'Engineering Institutions' category in the same Rankings for 10 consecutive years - from 2016 to 2025.

In 2023, IIT Madras became the first IIT to establish an international Campus in Zanzibar, Tanzania called 'IIT Madras Zanzibar.
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