THE POTENTIAL OF DRONE DELIVERIES TO ALDERNEY – IMPORTANT SURVEY
Alderney has never been adverse to innovation and progress and we have spearheaded several successful initiatives, e.g. online gaming etc..
In September the Alderney Chamber of Commerce was contacted by DragonFlyPads, a Paris-based company who would like to use Alderney as a platform for drone deliveries, initially between Cherbourg and Alderney.
Earlier this month, Chamber conducted a brief survey on behalf of DragonFlyPads, to evaluate the feasibility and potential demand for a small-package drone delivery service on the island.
The goal of the survey is to explore whether rapid, low-carbon aerial transit could help local businesses overcome transport bottlenecks, speed up emergency/urgent orders, and expand local reach.
Below are the responses received and collated by DragonFlyPads .
Regarding the next steps of the project, it is still too early for DragonFlyPads to formally commit to a schedule.
However the company has assured us they will keep us informed as soon as a decision has been taken and we will of course advise you as soon as this decision has been confirmed.
To find out more about DragonFlyPad, please visit their website
Chamber would like to thank everybody who took part in this survey.
*** SURVEY RESULTS ***
. Business Profile & Current Volumes (16 respondents)
- Key Industry Sectors:
- Professional Services / Office: 44% (7)
- Hospitality / Restaurants / Cafes: 13% (2)
- Retail / Grocery / Speciality Shop: 6% (1)
- Healthcare / Pharmacy: 6% (1)
- Other sectors: 31% (5)
- Current Weekly Shipment Volumes:
- Fewer than 5 shipments/week: 50% (8)
- 5 to 15 shipments/week: 19% (3)
- More than 30 shipments/week: 13% (2)
- No physical goods moved: 19% (3)
- Technical Fit & Cargo Types
- Parcel Dimensions & Weight (< 5 kg, shoebox size —
13 respondents):
- Over 50% compatible parcels: 69% (including 38% at >90% and 31% between 50% and 90%)
- Under 50% compatible parcels: 31% (including 23% minority and 8% rare/none)
- Target Cargo Types (18 selections):
- Retail goods / Gifts: 33% (6)
- Documents / Mail / Office paperwork: 33% (6)
- Pharmaceuticals / Medical supplies: 11% (2)
- Critical spare parts / Tools: 11% (2)
- Marine / Harbour supplies: 6% (1)
- Alcohol: 6% (1)
- Current Logistics Pain Points (28 citations)
- Lack of same-day express options to neighbouring islands / France: 32% (9)
- Long delays waiting for regular ferry/flight schedules: 25% (7)
- High minimum freight charges for small parcels: 14% (4)
- Customs and administrative bottlenecks: 11% (3)
- Difficulty securing short-notice emergency orders: 11% (3)
- Weather disruptions and cancellations: 7% (2)
- Perceived Value, Target Routes & Projected Volumes
(13 freight respondents)
- Perceived Value of Drone Delivery:
- Nice to have (Useful occasionally for emergencies): 46% (6)
- Very useful (Significantly improves operations): 38% (5)
- Essential (Unlocks brand-new business opportunities): 8% (1)
- Not useful: 8% (1)
- Priority Transit Routes (22 mentions):
- United Kingdom: 45% (10)
- Guernsey: 36% (8)
- France: 9% (2)
- Within-Island (Across Alderney): 9% (2)
- Monthly Drone Delivery Projections:
- 1 to 4 deliveries / month: 69% (9)
- More than 30 deliveries / month: 15% (2)
- 16 to 30 deliveries / month: 8% (1)
- 0 deliveries / month: 8% (1)
- Service Preferences & Willingness to Pay
Cross-Channel Deliveries (13 respondents):
- Standard within 48h (Ref. £50): 54% (7)
- Scheduled next-day / 24h (Ref. £65): 23% (3)
- Fast same-day / 8h (Ref. £80): 8% (1)
- Not applicable: 15% (2)
- Reported willingness to pay: from £10 to £65 (e.g. £10, £15, £30, £50, £60, £65).
- Within-Island Deliveries (12 respondents):
- Not applicable (no local need): 67% (8)
- Scheduled next-day / 24h (Ref. £25): 17% (2)
- Ultra-fast within 1h (Ref. £45): 8% (1)
- Standard within 8h (Ref. £35): 8% (1)
- Reported willingness to pay: from £10 to £40 (e.g. £10, £30, £35, £40).