Astral Aviation has signed a strategic collaboration with Reliable Robotics to enhance aviation safety and increase air cargo connectivity with automated aircraft. Both companies will work together to develop operational and regulatory business plans to launch the automated aircraft in sub-Sahara Africa.
Commenting on the ongoing changes in the African aviation circle, Sanjeev Gadhia, Founder and CEO of Astral Aviation said: “We are preparing for explosive growth in regional trade and the need to transport significantly more air cargo across Africa. Automation will enable us to serve more routes. We look forward to working with Reliable to safely transport larger payloads over longer distances at lower cost with remotely operated aircraft.”
Currently, Africa is plagued by challenges related to safety, speed, and cost of transportation including limited intra-African air services. Astral Aviation is positive it can tackle these challenges with automated aircraft.
Speaking on expanding operations in Africa, Robert Rose, Co-founder, and CEO at Reliable Robotics said: “The African aviation sector is primed for change and automated aircraft can be part of the solution to the market’s constraints. Astral has deep experience operating in Africa, and we share a vision for how automation and remotely piloted aircraft can help the region reach its economic potential with safer, more flexible, and cost-efficient air transport.”
Reliable Robotics and Astral Aviation are working on a roadmap to expand automated air cargo solutions that will provide significant economic and societal benefits for Africa.
Reliable Robotics is planning to expand operations in the United States and is working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to certify its automation system on the Cessna 208 Caravan.