Aviation Sans Frontières, Windracers launch drone aid partnership

At the 2025 Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, a significant development in humanitarian aviation took center stage: the launch of a joint drone logistics initiative by Aviation Sans Frontières and Windracers. The partnership focuses on addressing one of Africa’s most pressing challenges: delivering medical supplies to communities that are unreachable by traditional transport networks.

The initiative deploys Windracers’ autonomous heavy-lift cargo drones, specifically the ULTRA MK2, which can carry payloads of up to 150 kg over distances of 1,000 km. The aircraft is designed to operate independently, with proprietary autopilot systems and multi-mission configurations, including the ability to drop payloads via a tri-door system when terrain prevents landing.

Aviation Sans Frontières brings decades of operational knowledge in humanitarian air missions to the collaboration. According to Stephane Blandino, Project Manager at Aviation Sans Frontières, “This project represents a potential turning point for humanitarian logistics in Africa. It’s about making healthcare accessible — regardless of distance.”

Stephen Wright, Founder and Group Executive Chairman of Windracers, emphasized the cost-efficiency goal, noting that logistics can account for 60–80% of humanitarian aid spending. “We developed ULTRA with this idea in mind — to offer a low-cost delivery solution for people who need help the most.”

Pilot operations are already underway in Malawi, where a dedicated drone base is being established. The upcoming phase of the program will test cold chain deliveries, including vaccines and temperature-sensitive medical supplies, to assess how well drone technology can integrate into wider public health logistics frameworks.

The partnership also addresses local workforce training and regulatory alignment. This holistic approach is intended to make the model scalable and replicable across different terrains and geopolitical contexts.

In an era of increasing climate and health-related challenges, this drone-powered initiative could offer a practical solution for equitable, timely, and cost-effective humanitarian relief in hard-to-reach areas.

This report was first published on The STAT Trade Times