Drone deliveries tested in southwest Finland as businesses trial aerial parcel transport

A commercial drone carrying small packages has begun flying between businesses on an industrial site in Lieto, southwest Finland, as part of a research project exploring the future of automated freight transport, Yle reports.

The trial, led by Turku University of Applied Sciences, involves a 16-kilogram drone transporting parcels across the Avanti industrial area. Researchers are assessing operational feasibility, with early findings highlighting bureaucratic hurdles and infrastructure gaps as the primary obstacles to scaling up drone logistics.

“It’s clear that conducting these transport tests requires extensive permits, documentation, and approvals,” said Jari Hietaranta, head of the university’s research team. “If drone deliveries are to become a viable business, regulatory processes must be streamlined.”

The project also underscores the need for dedicated infrastructure, such as landing platforms and secure flight corridors, to support routine operations. “Drones require designated takeoff and landing zones, as well as airspace management to ensure safety and efficiency,” Hietaranta added.

The DroneAvanti initiative, launched last year and running through 2026, includes Finland’s national postal service Posti and textile manufacturer Karkelon Sukka as industry partners. Posti is evaluating whether drone networks could eventually serve remote areas, particularly Finland’s archipelago.

“There’s significant potential, especially for island communities,” said Mika Susi, Posti’s production manager. “We’re still in the learning phase, but the data from these trials will help shape future decisions.”

This week’s flights mark the first phase of testing, with additional trials planned for autumn to assess performance in varying weather conditions. Researchers aim to determine whether commercial drone delivery could become economically viable—and if so, on what timeline.

“Within a decade, we could see postal drones operating alongside traditional ground transport,” Hietaranta said. “But realizing that vision depends on resolving logistical, regulatory, and municipal planning challenges.”

Local government involvement is critical, as widespread adoption would require zoning adjustments for drone infrastructure. “Cities and towns will need to integrate landing sites and flight paths into their planning,” Hietaranta noted. “That work hasn’t even begun yet in most places.”

The Lieto trial follows earlier Finnish experiments with drone deliveries, including a 2025 project in Naantali that tested food transport and emergency defibrillator drops to islands. While interest in drone logistics is growing, Hietaranta cautioned that systemic changes—from airspace regulations to community acceptance—will dictate the pace of progress.