Hong Kong launches first drone meal delivery route for remote elderly

The government is advancing low-altitude economy initiatives. Supported by the Transport and Logistics Bureau and Labour and Welfare Bureau, Hong Kong Children & Youth Services collaborated with Meituan to launch Hong Kong’s first drone route delivering healthy meal boxes to elderly residents in remote rural areas, replacing traditional road transport.

The drone takes just 10 minutes one way, compared with about 1.5 hours by vehicle, ensuring meals arrive hot.

Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan recently inspected the route, collecting a meal box at the landing site and delivering it to a villager.

The route saves welfare organizations vehicle and manpower costs, allowing resources for other services, while overcoming road delivery capacity limits. 

Ting Kok Village serves as a transfer hub to expand coverage to nearby rural areas, unlocking greater social welfare potential.

The service will operate regularly as a practical, caring example of low-altitude economy application.

Agency Director at Hong Kong Children and Youth Services Joyce Lee Yuen-sum noted that traditional deliveries require vehicles, drivers and one to two carers, to take a  three-hour round trip with limited reach.

Drones enable expansion to more waiting recipients and neighboring villages via the hub. 

Long-term plans include drone delivery of daily essentials and medical supplies.