Keeta Drone GM says airborne deliveries could ease traffic and speed up short trips.
Dubai: Drone delivery could transform how residents experience traffic in their neighbourhoods, especially during peak hours, according to a senior executive at Keeta Drone.
While drone technology won’t replace traditional couriers, the company says shifting a portion of short, high-frequency trips to the air could help relieve pressure on the most congested roads.
“If drone delivery were scaled significantly across dense urban areas, it could remove a portion of congestion from local streets,” said Junwei Yang, General Manager of Keeta Drone. He noted that the biggest impact would be in residential neighborhoods, where delivery vehicles often cluster at the same times of day, rather than on highways.
Local congestion, not highways
Yang said that even diverting a modest share of short-haul deliveries to drones could help reduce traffic in high-demand areas such as residential communities, schools, and public spaces. Unlike vehicles, drones bypass roads entirely, flying directly between points and crossing water bodies and creeks that often force road traffic onto longer routes.
“By operating directly across water bodies, creeks, and delivering straight into school campuses and public parks without relying on road networks, drone delivery can help reduce vehicle clustering and localized traffic buildup,” he said. For residents, this could mean fewer delivery vans circulating through neighborhood streets during peak hours.
Extra capacity, not replacement
Keeta Drone positions the technology as a supplement rather than a replacement for existing delivery services. Yang emphasized that drone delivery is not intended to replace drivers or eliminate jobs, but to expand overall capacity as demand for instant delivery continues to grow.
“The goal is to serve as a capacity supplement, providing users with differentiated services and creating more options,” he said. Yang added that the shift could also generate new employment opportunities linked to drone operations and supporting systems.
Over time, Keeta expects a meaningful share of deliveries to move into the air. “We anticipate that 10% to 15% of instant delivery orders globally will eventually be transported by air,” Yang said, describing the transition as a long-term evolution rather than a rapid disruption.
Faster deliveries in peak traffic
Speed is one of the most immediate benefits for consumers. Yang noted that most drone deliveries today are completed within 15 to 30 minutes from door to door, with much of the wait often due to preparation time at the merchant.
Once dispatched, the advantage becomes clear. “The drone follows a direct point-to-point air corridor, even over key road networks,” Yang said. During rush hours, this direct routing allows deliveries to bypass traffic jams, accidents, and road diversions that slow down vehicles on the ground.
Dubai proves the best testing ground
Yang noted that Dubai offers conditions few global cities can match for scaling drone delivery. He highlighted progressive aviation regulations led by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, alongside smart-city infrastructure that supports real-world testing.
“The emirate combines strong public-private coordination with clear zoning and a controlled airspace environment,” he said. This combination allows companies to pilot low-altitude logistics in live urban settings rather than in isolated test zones.
Dubai’s population also plays a key role. Yang added that the city’s diverse and globally connected residents have consistently shown openness to new technologies, creating a receptive environment for responsible innovation.
With strong government support for advanced mobility and sustainability initiatives, Yang said Dubai provides a faster path from pilot projects to commercial deployment than most smart cities. For residents, the benefits would be felt not in futuristic headlines, but in everyday life—shorter delivery times and fewer delivery vehicles congesting local streets.
