As Gulf cities accelerate their transition towards smarter, more sustainable urban frameworks, aerial delivery is swiftly moving from concept to reality. In the UAE, Keeta Drone is at the forefront of this shift, leveraging Dubai’s position as a global hub for low-altitude mobility to scale next-generation logistics and bring the city closer to its goal of widespread aerial delivery by 2030.
At the recent Dubai Airshow 2025, Keeta Drone detailed how its autonomous aerial solutions are set to redefine the region’s economic and environmental landscape, underscoring the vital role of drone delivery in sustainable urban development.
Dubai a Singularity in the Global Low-Altitude Economy
During his keynote address, Dr. Yinian Mao, Vice President of Meituan and President of Keeta Drone, described Dubai as a “singularity” in the global low-altitude economy, attributing its unique position to a combination of progressive policies and rapid technological innovation.
“We believe a progressive policy is the first step for drone delivery to take off,” Dr. Mao stated. “And once we can get in the air, we can discover more business opportunities.”
This innovation-friendly environment was a decisive factor in the company’s decision to establish its first overseas base in Dubai. In late 2024, Keeta Drone secured the city’s first Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) commercial drone delivery licence, a critical milestone enabling its current operations.
Operational Routes and Climate-Ready Tech
Keeta Drone has successfully launched several delivery routes in Dubai, initially focusing on the Dubai Silicon Oasis district. The company utilizes fourth-generation autonomous drones and automated ground support systems to provide fast, contactless, and eco-friendly services connecting residential and commercial areas.
In October 2025, the service expanded to Nad Al Sheba, operating under the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority’s (DCAA) regulatory framework. This new route delivers food orders from restaurants at Nad Al Sheba Avenue Mall to a landing point at the Nad Al Sheba Grand Mosque.
To ensure operational excellence, Keeta has engineered its systems specifically for Dubai’s desert climate. The drones are built to perform reliably in sandy, windy conditions and at temperatures exceeding 50°C. Safety is further enhanced by an AI simulation platform capable of running millions of training cycles, significantly reducing the need for extensive real-world testing.
Powering the 2030 Vision
With a solid foundation in place, Keeta is planning further expansion, including the introduction of nighttime operations and the integration of more merchants into its delivery ecosystem.
These efforts directly support the ambitious vision set by local authorities. As Dr. Mao highlighted, “A recent proposal by DCAA states that by the year 2030, 70 percent of the city of Dubai will be covered by drone delivery, and here we are starting to help achieve that vision and make it real.”
About Keeta Drone
Keeta Drone is an autonomous aerial delivery solutions provider and a subsidiary of global technology company Meituan. It established its first overseas operations in Dubai, UAE, where it became the first company to receive a commercial BVLOS drone delivery license. Keeta focuses on providing fast, sustainable, and contactless logistics for food and other goods in urban environments.
Source: Fast Company Middle East
