Pie in the sky! Mumbai pizza outlet delivers using DRONES



The sky's the limit for pizza delivery in Mumbai, after a food outlet in the city successfully tested delivering with drones.



However, it may still be some time before the flying machine is used routinely to deliver pizzas, as the air delivery system does not currently have the government's approval.

According to a spokesperson of Francesco's Pizzeria, the test-flight was done on May 11 from the outlet's branch at Phoenix Mill Compound at Lower Parel in Mumbai, to Worli.



Incoming: The idea to test-fly the pizza delivery drone was inspired by Amazon's recent test-flight of a drone to deliver goods ordered on its online portal

The 3km distance was covered in about 10 minutes, which was about one-third of the deadline for delivery.



Besides saving time it is also economical, as the copter drones consume only about 65 watts for an 8km flight.



"The current system of delivery through motorcycles is very cost-intensive as it includes fuel costs, bike maintenance and salary for the delivery boys. If drones are used for delivery, it could bring down our operation costs a lot," a spokesperson of the outlet said.



On an average, there are about 150 outdoor deliveries for pizza at each of its two outlets.

Besides the Phoenix Mill compound, the two-year-old enterprise is located at the one of the most upmarket locations in Mumbai, Kemps Corner.



The idea to test-flight the pizza delivery drone was Francesco's Pizzeria chief executive Mikhel Rajani's. He was inspired by Amazon's recent test-flight of the drone to deliver goods ordered on its online portal.

