Drone Delivery Takes to the Sky in Iceland

Iceland is the answer to the trivia question of which country is the first to approve drone delivery service.

1 minute read

August 24, 2017, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Jennifer McKevitt shares news of new drone delivery service launched by Flytrex, partnered with AHA, in Iceland. The service launched this week near Reykjavik, and it's being touted as the world's "first operational on-demand urban drone delivery service." The Icelandic Transport Authority approved the commercial service. 

Flytrex, based in Israel, is pushing for more innovation in last mile delivery logistics, and earned $3 million in funds last January to start testing the idea, according to McKevitt.

The idea has already found some traction in the United States. "Convenience store 7-Eleven has already piloted the technology for home delivery, while medical school Johns Hopkins is testing the technology for store delivery of medical provisions," writes McKevitt.

Wednesday, August 23, 2017 in Smart Cities Dive

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

A pencil rendering of Foundry Park, which shows skyscrapers and public green spaces.

Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment

The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.

October 23, 2026 - Chicago Sun Times

A rendering of a high speed rain station in California, with wide platforms and a sleep train with yellow highlights.

California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal

Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.

1 hour ago - Cal Matters

 A bridge stretches across the Missouri River at Chamberlain, South Dakota.

Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states

Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.

3 hours ago - South Dakota Searchlight

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

4 hours ago - Yale Environment 360