Hong Kong is set to embrace drone-powered food deliveries as Meituan Drone successfully completed its first low-altitude logistics mission in the city on March 20.

This milestone follows the Hong Kong government’s inclusion of Meituan Drone in its inaugural regulatory sandbox for low-altitude economy projects, with Chief Executive John Lee officiating the launch.

Meituan Drone join force with online takeaway platform Keeta to deliver packages. sznews.com

Meituan’s first delivery route in Hong Kong, currently awaiting final approval, is expected to debut soon. It will connect Hong Kong Science Park’s Pak Shek Kok Promenade with Ma On Shan Country Park across Tolo Harbour in the New Territories.

Targeting areas where traditional delivery methods face challenges, Meituan Drone aims to enhance Hong Kong’s logistics network.

A recent promotion event of Meituan Drone in Hong Kong. sznews.com

“We focus on regions with high demand but limited accessibility, such as parks and coastal zones,” said Yan Yan, head of Meituan Drone’s Hong Kong branch. The initial route will serve customers ordering from partners like McDonald's and Pizza Hut, allowing residents to receive meals and goods seamlessly while enjoying outdoor activities.

Hong Kong’s complex terrain—featuring mountains, islands, and enclosed venues—makes it an ideal testing ground for drone deliveries. “Drone delivery helps solve last-mile logistics challenges while aligning with sustainability goals,” Yan noted.

Since 2023, Meituan has collaborated with academic institutions and industry groups, including the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Low-Altitude Economy Alliance, to refine its approach.

Preparations are underway, with recruitment for ground crew and drone pilots already launched. Several local delivery riders have transitioned into roles such as flight operators, signaling the project’s integration into Hong Kong’s workforce.

Meituan’s experience in Chinese Mainland informs its Hong Kong strategy. Last October, the company launched a cross-border drone route at Shenzhen’s Futian Checkpoint, introducing Hong Kong dollar payments to cater to cross-boundary users.

Since its inception in 2017, Meituan Drone has completed over 450,000 deliveries across 53 routes in Shenzhen, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Nanjing, and other mainland cities. The service supports over 90,000 types of goods, serving office spaces, residential communities, scenic spots, public parks, school campuses, and libraries.