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Drones Set To Make UAE Deliveries Faster And Cheaper
Aramex and Dronamics hope to conduct pilot flights in 2024, collaborating with regulators and facilitators to create a cutting-edge logistics network.
As the United Arab Emirates embraces widespread logistics and transport innovation, Emirati residents may soon receive courier packages via drones.
The introduction of these cutting-edge services comes from Dronamics, the world’s first cargo drone airline, with fleet management capabilities provided by partner firm Aramex.
Dubai authorities have already showcased drone deliveries for a wide range of goods within the government-owned Silicon Oasis free zone under the watchful eye of the Civil Aviation Authority.
Now, more widespread consumer drone deliveries are being planned, with trials to start as early as 2024. The autonomous craft will be equipped with cutting-edge connectivity and navigation systems, as well as parachutes and collision-avoidance technology.
Alaa Saoudi, Aramex Chief Operating Officer, said, “The cargo hold should be able to give us 3.5 cubic meters of space, which would be good for quick turn-around operations within our express middle mile operations. But it can be utilized for customers with larger consignments in the last mile as well”.
The drones will enable same-day and long-range deliveries, offering up to 80% faster deliveries at half the cost. Meanwhile, carbon dioxide emissions for drone freight are said to be 60% less than those of traditional transport vehicles.
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“We’re excited to collaborate with Aramex, integrating our cargo drone technology to bring the transformative benefits of rapid, cost-effective, and sustainable same-day delivery to the global stage,” said Svilen Rangelov, Co-Founder and CEO of Dronamics.
Dronamics’ remotely-piloted machine is known as Black Swan. The drone requires just 400 meters to land and take off, making it a viable solution for remote deliveries where traditional airports are either missing or underdeveloped.
If the Aramex and Dronamics collaboration proves successful, further joint deployments will be possible, with the two tech firms eying up key markets, including Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Australia.
News
Checkout.com Set To Launch Card Issuing In The UAE
The payment service provider’s expansion is a first-of-its-kind investment and could reshape digital transactions across the region.
Checkout.com is laying the groundwork to become the first global payments platform to introduce card issuing in the United Arab Emirates — a move that could reshape how businesses in the region manage financial transactions.
The company plans to roll out its domestic card issuance offering in the UAE by 2026, subject to regulatory approval. The launch would give businesses the tools to issue both physical and virtual branded cards. This, in turn, opens up new ways to reward customers, streamline expense processes, and handle B2B payouts efficiently.
Checkout.com’s CEO and Founder, Guillaume Pousaz, revealed the plans during Thrive Abu Dhabi, the firm’s debut conference in the Emirates. Joined on stage by Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager for MENA, Pousaz presented to an audience of over 150 partners and merchants at Saadiyat Island. Also in attendance was H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.
Abbondandolo highlighted the strategic importance of the announcement: “As a global business, we focus on bringing products to markets that our customers want and need. Today’s announcement is proof of our commitment to the MENA region and its rising influence in the digital economy. The appetite for innovation here is real, and we’re proud to be building the infrastructure that powers it”.
One early adopter of Checkout.com’s UAE acquiring services is Headout, a travel experiences marketplace, which recently named the payment provider as its main partner in Europe. The company has already begun card issuing there and is keen to expand that offering into MENA once approval is granted.
The expansion of services in the UAE and beyond builds on Checkout.com’s track record in the region. It was the first global payments firm to secure a Retail Payment Services license from the UAE’s Central Bank and was instrumental in rolling out Mada and Apple Pay in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
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The firm has also been rolling out new products: One of the latest is Flow Remember Me, currently in beta testing. It allows shoppers to store their card information once and access it across Checkout.com’s entire network, potentially cutting checkout times by up to 70%.
Earlier this year, Checkout.com also introduced Visa Direct’s Push-to-Card solution in the UAE, enabling both domestic and international payouts. Its collaboration with Mastercard has grown as well, making it easier for businesses to send funds directly to third-party cards securely and quickly.
With regional tech ambitions on the rise — spurred by initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s 2031 Agenda — Checkout.com sees its role as one of a key enabler. “Our mission is to help ambitious businesses navigate the complexity of payments, so they can move faster, go further, and make the most of every opportunity,” said Abbondandolo. “In MENA, performance is personal. It’s local. It’s built on trust. And when payments perform, businesses thrive”.
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