Drone takeouts for those with HK numbers open at border port

Ayra Wang

Chinese food delivery giant Meituan launched a drone service route at Futian Port yesterday, allowing customers with Hong Kong mobile numbers to place orders.

This initiative marks the first regular drone delivery service in a border area of mainland China, according to Meituan's website.

"Following the launch of this route, daily travelers between Hong Kong and Shenzhen can order takeout near the port and enjoy airdrop delivery service," the company said.

Hong Kong residents can now benefit from this service, as the new system allows them to pay in Hong Kong dollars through WeChat Pay HK.

The payment system will automatically convert Hong Kong dollars to yuan without any service charge.

Also, customers using WeChat Pay HK can receive an eight-yuan discount on purchases of 20 yuan or more by obtaining a coupon via the Meituan app or its WeChat mini program.

Meituan also said customers can place orders even when they are not physically in Shenzhen. "Hong Kong residents can pre-order through the app or mini program before heading north or returning to Hong Kong," the company said.

Upon arrival at Futian Port, they can go directly to a designated takeout food locker to retrieve their orders, bypassing long queues in stores.

To utilize this service, users must set their delivery address in the Meituan app or mini program to the "smart drone airdrop locker" at Futian Port before placing their orders.

Meituan implemented this service to meet the growing demand for food delivery at ports, driven by the increasing number of Hongkongers visiting the mainland for leisure and shopping.

According to Meituan's latest report, Shenzhen emerged as the most popular destination for Hong Kong residents traveling to the mainland in the first quarter, with a notable 18.9 percent increase in delivery orders compared to the previous quarter.

"Currently, there are hundreds or even thousands of takeout orders daily at Futian Port, and the average waiting time is nearly 20 minutes longer than in other areas due to the crowds," the company said.

It anticipates that drone delivery will reduce waiting times by about 30 minutes compared to traditional delivery methods, as well as address the challenge of locating delivery personnel.

The drone delivery service operates daily from 10.30am to 6pm, offering around 1,000 different items, including popular dishes from various catering brands.

ayra.wang@singtaonewscorp.com