CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- On October 9, in celebration of the 55th World Post Day, the Chongqing Branch of China Post successfully inaugurated the city’s first regularized drone postal route which connects the urban distribution center of Banan District to Zhongba Island in Dazhong Village, Lianhua Sub-district, Banan District.

Zhongba Island, an island situated in the Yangtze River within Banan District, is home to over 3,000 residents primarily engaged in agriculture. The Banan District Postal Branch has successfully implemented the “Postal-Courier Cooperation” business model, working in collaboration with several courier companies to transport various types of mail and parcels to the island. Previously, mail and parcel deliveries to the island were made using cars and ferries. After gathering deliveries at the urban distribution center, postal workers would transport them by car to the riverbank, board a ferry, and then deliver the items to a postal service station on the island. This process took nearly three hours for a round trip. In 2023, approximately 27,000 parcels and letters were delivered to the island using this method.

On the launch day, a drone carrying mail and parcels from multiple companies took off from the urban distribution center of Banan District at 10:00 a.m. and arrived at Zhongba Island just 15 minutes later. At around 11:00 a.m., the drone started its return trip, carrying outgoing mail and fresh vegetables picked on the island.

Xu Feng, Deputy General Manager of China Post’s Chongqing Branch, explained that this new drone route will operate daily, weather and airspace conditions permitting. Each flight can transport up to 100 kilograms, with a one-way trip taking approximately 15 minutes and a total round trip lasting about 45 minutes. (Translated by Yuki, Fathom Language Limited)