The UK's first drone supply service has launched in Orkney.

The joint operation, by Royal Mail and Skyports Drone Services, will initially function on the islands for 3 months.

It will see letters and parcels transported from a supply workplace in Kirkwall to Stromness, from the place drones will take them to workers on Graemsay and Hoy to hold out their ordinary rounds.

The drones, a Speedbird Aero DLV-2 mannequin, can carry payloads of as much as 6kg.

It's hoped it would considerably enhance service ranges and supply instances to the 2 islands, as the customarily difficult geography and climate may cause disruption and pose security dangers to postal staff.

Chris Paxton, head of drone trials at Royal Mail, mentioned the absolutely electrical unmanned plane would additionally help the corporate's efforts to scale back its carbon emissions.

Should it show efficient, the so-called Orkney I-Port operation could possibly be continued on a everlasting foundation.

The challenge has been funded by the Department for Transport's Freight Innovation Fund.

Plans for a Royal Mail drone supply service were first detailed last year, with the agency saying it aimed to ultimately carry the know-how to all corners of the UK.

Other supply firms have additionally been trialling submit by air, notably Amazon in parts of the US.