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

portrait of professional woman

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 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 Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Interior of Place Versailles mall in Montreal, Canada.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units

Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

May 22, 2025 - CBC

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

5 hours ago - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of California High-Speed Rail station with bullet train.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself

The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

May 19, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Nevada State Senate building.

Nevada Legislature Unanimously Passes Regional Rail Bill

If signed by the governor, the bill will create a task force aimed at developing a regional passenger rail system.

1 hour ago - KRNV News 4

Blue sidewalk curb cut painted with white accessibility symbol.

How Infrastructure Shapes Public Trust

A city engineer argues that planners must go beyond code compliance to ensure public infrastructure is truly accessible to all users.

1 hour ago - Governing

Protester at Echo Park Lake, Los Angeles holding sign that says "Housing is a human right"

Photos: In Over a Dozen Cities, Housing Activists Connect HUD Cuts and Local Issues

We share images from six of the cities around the country where members of three national organizing networks took action on May 20 to protest cuts to federal housing funding and lift up local solutions.

3 hours ago - Shelterforce Magazine