On June 6, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) welcomed a game-changing leap in urban logistics as Keeta, a subsidiary of China's leading food delivery platform Meituan, unveiled its first drone-powered food delivery route. The electric drone took off from Hong Kong Science Park in Sha Tin and flew 1.8 kilometers across the sea, delivering a steaming meal to Ma On Shan Promenade in just five minutes.
For comparison, a road courier would need to navigate a 7.8-kilometer drive that typically takes around 40 minutes. By cutting delivery time by nearly 90 percent, the pilot demonstrates how autonomous drones can reshape last-mile logistics in dense urban environments.
The service operates under the HKSAR government's new regulatory sandbox for the low-altitude economy, unveiled in late 2024. Designed to test commercial drone operations, the sandbox reduces regulatory hurdles and provides essential infrastructure support. 'Hong Kong will continue to facilitate the development of the low-altitude economy,' said Michael Wong, deputy financial secretary of the HKSAR government and head of the Working Group on Developing Low-Altitude Economy, at the launch ceremony.
Wong also revealed that the second phase of the regulatory sandbox will open for applications in the coming months, inviting entrepreneurs and startups to pilot their own drone-based services. Under the market-led approach, companies are expected to innovate while the government focuses on policy and infrastructure.
Looking ahead, Meituan plans to expand service coverage with a new route between the science park and residential zones in Ma On Shan. Automated aerial drop-off lockers will soon let customers pick up orders via a unique QR code, blending convenience with cutting-edge tech. According to Meituan vice president Mao Yiping, this expansion could pave the way for on-demand aerial logistics across the region.
As cities around the world seek sustainable, efficient delivery solutions, Hong Kong's low-altitude sandbox could become a model for other G20 members. For young global citizens, tech enthusiasts, and changemakers, this milestone highlights how emerging markets are leveraging innovation to solve real-world challenges – and why the future of urban mobility just might be airborne.
Reference(s):
China's Meituan launches first drone delivery route in Hong Kong
cgtn.com
