Iona and Welch Group partner to pioneer drone logistics for hard to reach deliveries

Iona, a drone logistics firm based in the UK and Ireland, has announced a strategic partnership with Cambridge based haulage and logistics company Welch Group to accelerate the adoption of drone enabled logistics for remote and low density delivery routes.

The partnership marks a significant step toward integrating automated drone delivery into mainstream logistics operations – not as a replacement for road fleets, but as a high efficiency complement for routes where traditional vehicles are slow, costly or impractical.

‘At Iona, we believe the solution for more efficient light cargo deliveries is not bigger vehicles, but smarter routing,’ said an Iona founder and CEO Etienne Louvet. ‘With vertical take off capability and modular cargo systems reaching up to 100 km, our drones handle the routes that vans can’t, and are faster, greener and more efficient.’

The partnership will focus on solving one of logistics’ most persistent challenges of low volume, long distance and limited access deliveries that cannot justify the cost or time of van or fleet transport. 

Through the addition of an aerial layer to existing logistics networks, the companies aim to reduce operational overheads, improve delivery speed and increase reliability for critical shipments such as medical restocks or essential spare parts.

‘Remote routes do not need bigger vehicles. They need a different system,’ said Etienne. ‘Automatic aerial delivery through drones redesigns logistics around the route itself, enabling point to point movement where roads add hours, not value

Commenting on the partnership, managing director of Welch Group, Chris Welch, said: ‘Our partnership with Iona opens up new opportunities to reach customers in areas where traditional delivery methods can be challenging and impractical. Integrating aerial solutions into our existing network, we are making our service more flexible and efficient, whilst building a more resilient and future ready delivery network. The partnership marks an important step toward smarter, more reliable delivery solutions for communities and areas that are often underserved.’