Dubai has taken another bold stride in its smart city journey. Dubai Municipality has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Keeta Drone — a subsidiary of Chinese technology giant Meituan — to establish drone delivery services across selected public parks and beaches across the emirate. The first activations are expected to launch later in 2026 as part of a phased citywide rollout.
What the Partnership Entails
Under the agreement, Keeta Drone will lead the technical assessment of proposed delivery locations, design compliant aerial delivery routes, conduct operational trials, and submit performance reports. Dubai Municipality, in turn, will identify suitable sites within public facilities and coordinate activities in line with approved regulations and urban planning policies.
The initiative is designed to give residents and visitors faster, more convenient access to food, beverages, and essential goods — directly at the parks and beaches where they already spend their time.
Bader Anwahi, CEO of the Public Facilities Agency at Dubai Municipality, stated that the collaboration reflects the emirate’s commitment to developing dynamic urban environments aligned with evolving lifestyles and reinforcing Dubai’s leadership as one of the world’s most innovative cities.
Keeta Drone’s Journey in the UAE
This latest deal builds on significant momentum for Keeta Drone in the UAE. In December 2024, the company secured the country’s first commercial licence for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone deliveries from the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) — a landmark achievement making it the first Chinese drone logistics operator to receive such a certification outside of China. The service launched at Dubai Silicon Oasis, with six drones serving four operational routes for food and medical deliveries, at a delivery fee of just AED 9.50 per order.
Since then, Keeta Drone has expanded its network to Nad Al Sheba and continued adding restaurant partners through its standalone app, with its drones engineered to operate reliably in Dubai’s extreme desert conditions, including temperatures exceeding 50°C.
Dubai’s Bigger Drone Ambitions
The Keeta Drone–Dubai Municipality deal fits squarely within Dubai’s wider low-altitude economy strategy. The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority has set a target of covering 30 per cent of the city with drone delivery services by 2026, scaling to 70 per cent within five years. The UAE delivery drones market, valued at an estimated USD 35.8 million in 2025, is projected to reach USD 515.3 million by 2032.
Dr. Yinian Mao, President of Keeta Drone, described the partnership as meeting people where they already are — at public spaces that shape everyday life in Dubai — in a way that is safe, seamless, and user-focused.
For the UAE, the skies are no longer just for aircraft. They are fast becoming the next frontier of last-mile logistics.
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