Dubai is taking urban delivery to new heights as drones begin transporting food orders from Avenue Mall directly to residents in Nad Al Sheba. In a collaboration between the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD), and Keeta Drone, the service uses the Nad Al Sheba Grand Mosque as a central drone landing point, combining technology with community convenience.
Smart mobility and advanced logistics
The Nad Al Sheba drone corridor forms part of Dubai’s broader strategy to integrate smart transportation and aerial logistics into daily urban life. By establishing drone delivery lanes, the city aims to reduce congestion, improve delivery efficiency, and position itself as a global hub for innovative mobility solutions.
Mohammed Abdullah Linjawy, Director General of the DCAA, inaugurated the route and highlighted its significance:
"This initiative reflects Dubai’s commitment to embracing innovative technologies that enhance daily life. At Keeta Drone, we have been at the forefront of developing this technology, and we are excited to see drone delivery become an everyday occurrence across the emirate. By enabling smart delivery lanes, we are helping build a sustainable, technology-driven future for Dubai.”The project is a prime example of how public-private partnerships can reshape urban logistics while adhering to strict safety and regulatory standards.
Community centred innovation
The selection of Nad Al Sheba Grand Mosque as the drone collection point underscores a vision of community-integrated technology. Ahmed Darwish Al Muhairi, Director General of IACAD, explained:
"This collaboration marks a significant step forward in integrating the public and private sectors to support Dubai’s smart transformation goals. Selecting the Nad Al Sheba Grand Mosque as the starting point for the connectivity project showcases a forward-thinking vision for the role of mosques in fostering sustainable communities, recognising their status as vital community hubs that adapt to modern needs. At the department, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting innovative national initiatives that contribute to achieving the vision of our wise leadership: to make Dubai a global model of balanced development that combines authenticity and innovation.”By using mosques as smart hubs, the initiative merges tradition with modern convenience, making essential services more accessible.
Expansion of drone delivery network
Keeta Drone, which already operates four routes within Dubai Silicon Oasis, is extending its operations to Nad Al Sheba, connecting residential and commercial areas through fast, contactless, and eco-friendly deliveries. Junwei Yang, General Manager of Keeta Drone, commented:
"This achievement marks the beginning of our commercial operations and the expansion of our drone delivery route network across Dubai. This route not only represents technological advancement, but also Dubai’s vision of creating smarter, faster and more sustainable cities.”The service is fully regulated under the DCAA framework, ensuring compliance, safety, and sustainability at every step.
Keeta drone’s global experience and Dubai milestones
Keeta Drone, a subsidiary of Chinese technology and retail company Meituan, is the first Chinese drone logistics operator to secure an overseas licence. The company began exploring drones for seamless air-ground local deliveries in 2017 and launched its first commercial service in Shenzhen, China, in 2021.
As of December 2024, Keeta Drone operates 53 routes across major Chinese cities including Beijing, Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, having completed over 400,000 deliveries. Its service spans offices, residential areas, tourist spots, parks, campuses, and libraries, offering customers more than 90,000 products.
In Dubai, the DCAA awarded Keeta Drone its first licence in December 2024 to operate in Dubai Silicon Oasis, initially deploying six drones. Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum placed the first order via the drone delivery system from RIT-Dubai, one of the landing points within DSO’s network. Since then, delivery routes have expanded with ambitious targets: covering 30% of Dubai by next year and 70% within five years
Sustainability and future outlook
The Nad Al Sheba corridor demonstrates Dubai’s commitment to smart, clean, and efficient urban infrastructure. By integrating drones into city logistics, officials aim to reduce traffic congestion, lower emissions, and improve delivery efficiency.
DCAA and its partners view this initiative as an initial step toward establishing a citywide drone logistics network, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global leader in smart city transformation and future-ready transportation. Through innovation, community integration, and sustainability, the project sets a benchmark for modern urban services.
Start a Conversation
Post comment