FedEx Corporation has announced the completion of India's first intra-city drone delivery flight trials in Bengaluru, in partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras. These trials were part of the research initiatives at the FedEx SMART Centre, focusing on optimizing air cargo logistics. The analysis revealed that a typical 53-km road journey, which usually takes over 60 minutes, can be shortened to an aerial route of 39-42 km, reducing the one-way transit time to approximately 21 minutes. This significant improvement showcases the potential for enhancing time-critical logistics. The flight path included navigation through Airport Yellow and Red Zones, with all necessary permissions obtained from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Nitin Navneet Tatiwala, FedEx's vice president for the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Africa (MEISA), emphasized that this milestone aligns with the SMART Centre's broader agenda, which includes air cargo optimization, electric vehicle integration, and advanced demand forecasting. The initiative aims to create resilient and sustainable supply chains through collaboration with academia, industry, and policymakers.