Astral to Fly Kenya's First Cargo Drones

Kenya-based cargo airline Astral Aviation is set to launch country's first cargo drones after inking a deal for the acquisition of the remote-controlled aircraft.

Astral has signed an agreement with Dubai-based Falcon Drones Technology FZ-LLC for supply of two Lucas-F250 cargo drones. Under the deal, Falcon Drones Technology FZ-LLC will provide Astral will two Lucas-F250 drones with an option to supply an additional 10 in 2019.

Lucas- F250 is an unmanned aerial vehicle with a range extending 1500 kilometres, endurance of at least 10 hours, a cruise speed of 150km/h and maximum speed of 200km/h. 

“The Falcon Drones technology is truly ground breaking. At Astral, we are delighted to have secured this order with exclusivity in Kenya,” said Astral Aviation chief executive Sanjeev Gadhia.

“It brings with it the exciting prospect of further expansion in the wider East Africa region.”

This comes at a time when the government is battling to provide guidelines for operation of drones. 

Kenya had outlawed the use of aerial vehicles until early this year when the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) legalised the use of the gadgets.