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According to the latest market research study published by P&S Intelligence, the global drone package delivery market is projected to reach a value of USD 686.7 million in 2024, and is forecast to expand at a CAGR of 37.6% during 2024–2030, ultimately attaining a market size of USD 4,661.3 million by 2030.

This rapid growth is being driven by increasing integration of drone-based delivery in industries such as logistics and transportation, retail, agriculture, and healthcare — all eager to enable faster and more efficient same-day delivery. Drones offer the advantage of delivering goods with higher speed and precision while reducing human intervention, labor costs, and reliance on traditional ground-based delivery systems.

As businesses — including fast-service restaurants, e-commerce retailers, and healthcare providers — look to improve delivery times and customer satisfaction, drone delivery is emerging as a transformative solution for last-mile logistics worldwide.

Key Insights

• The report segments the market across Solutions (Platform, Service, Infrastructure, Software), Range (Short, Medium, Long), Package Weight (< 2 kg, 2–5 kg, > 5 kg), Wing Type (Fixed, Rotary, Hybrid), Operational Mode (Partially-Automated, Fully-Automated) and End-User (Food & Beverage, Retail Goods, Postal, Healthcare, etc.).
• In 2024, the Service segment stands out as the largest among solutions — capturing about 45% market share — and is also projected to grow the fastest through 2030, driven by the surging demand for fast-delivery services globally.
• Among drone ranges, short-range drones (< 25 km) account for the majority (about 60% share in 2024) — reflecting their suitability for urban and suburban deliveries of medicines, food, and consumer products. Meanwhile, medium-range drones (25–50 km) are expected to register the fastest growth over the forecast period, as logistics and shipping firms adopt them for longer-distance deliveries.
• By package weight, drones delivering < 2 kg packages dominate in 2024 — reflecting the high demand for rapid delivery of small parcels. Yet the > 5 kg segment is forecast to expand fastest, driven by increasing use in transporting heavier cargo, cargo supply during disasters, and medical/rescue supplies.
• In terms of wing type, rotary-wing drones lead in 2024 because their vertical take-off and landing and maneuverability make them ideal for urban deliveries. However, hybrid drones are expected to grow the fastest, thanks to their versatility across environments, energy efficiency, and support for “green logistics.”
• Regarding operational modes, partially-automated drones (where human pilots handle complex tasks while routine operations are automated) are currently the dominant mode and are predicted to grow at a higher CAGR than fully-automated drones, due to advances in AI, ML, and sensor technologies.
• On the end-user front, healthcare emerges as the leading segment in 2024 — primarily because drones are widely used to deliver urgent medicines and medical supplies to hospitals and remote areas. Over the forecast period, retail goods delivery is expected to grow at the fastest rate, as e-commerce companies and retailers increasingly adopt drones to enhance delivery speed, lower costs, and optimize customer experience.
• Regionally, North America is the largest market in 2024, holding about 45% share, due to early adoption, favorable regulations, and presence of major drone-delivery service providers. Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific (APAC) is forecast to grow at the fastest rate (CAGR ~ 39.0%) — driven by densely populated urban centers, rapid growth of e-commerce, rising investments in drone infrastructure, and government initiatives supporting green last-mile delivery.
• The competitive landscape remains consolidated, with major global players — including Zipline International Inc., United Parcel Service of America Inc. (UPS), Wingcopter GmbH, Matternet Inc., Amazon Inc., Airbus SE, Skycart Inc. and Drone Delivery Canada Corp. — collectively control a significant portion of the market, while forming strategic partnerships and investing heavily in R&D to expand their portfolios.
• The report underscores growing opportunities in scaling drone delivery beyond urban areas — for applications such as rural medicine delivery, disaster relief logistics, and heavier-payload cargo transport — offering expansive growth potential for market participants.