AirAsia considers drones ‘the next frontier’

Malaysia-based low-cost carrier AirAsia is eyeing cargo drone deliveries as the “next frontier,” with plans to expand its network within the Klang Valley in Kuala Lumpur to support its intended drone operations, it says. The airline’s drone operations will work with other businesses in the AirAsia ecosystem — including its logistics arm, Teleport — to further bolster its network capabilities, an AirAsia spokesperson told Air Cargo World . “We see drones as the next frontier and ultimately we do aim to expand in all of our key markets in the future,” the spokesperson said. “However, just like the airline, our services will evolve based on consumer demand and securing the relevant approvals to fly.” [caption id="attachment_65131" align="alignright" width="373"] Photo/AirAsia[/caption] AirAsia is evaluating various drone types regarding its cargo and delivery locations, the spokesperson said. Meanwhile, network development and expansion will depend on demand and availability of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management (UTM) — a traffic management system for drones. “With the right setup, the drones can serve [business to business] and [business to consumer], as well as [consumer to consumer] deliveries … from our warehouse to the hubs, and from the hubs to the customers, as well as picking up items from customers and having it delivered to another customer,” the spokesperson said. The company has not specified a timeline for when it will launch drone ops and is awaiting the green light from the Civil Aviation Authority Malaysia (CAAM). AirAsia Academy for drone pilots As AirAsia gears up for drone takeoff, the carrier has launched AirAsia Academy in Malaysia earlier this year, training more than 170 pilots to date, according to a June 28 release. AirAsia Drones is the first group to receive certification from CAAM as a remote pilot training organization (RPTO), providing the following courses: Remote Pilot Certificate of Competency – Basic (RCOC-B), Remote Pilot Certificate of Competency Extended Visual Line of Sight (RCOC EVLOS), Safety Management System (SMS) and Crew Resource Management (CRM). Shipping company Vector Kuala Lumpur is the newest group to enroll in AirAsia’s drone training program, AirAsia Academy. The deal with Vector Kuala Lumpur is part of AirAsia’s commitment to supporting small, local companies, according to the release. Vector Kuala Lumpur operates its own shipyard in Port Klang, focusing on ship repairs, oil and lamp and gas modular fabrications. Other carriers have also begun to eye drone operations. This past year, DHL Express and Raya Airways, also based in Malaysia, partnered with Pen Aviation for a first look at commercial cargo operations. AirAsia has operations in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and India and over 160 destinations in its passenger network, according to its website. Teleport, AirAsia's logistics division , utilizes AirAsia and its partners' network to provide international cargo operations for freight, delivery and e-commerce.

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