Meituan's drone delivery service has embarked on its global expansion journey. Following the issuance of Dubai's first commercial operation license in December 2024, the company plans to add 2 to 3 new delivery routes in the region by the second half of 2025. Meanwhile, the domestic market is accelerating its expansion beyond geographical constraints, with Shanghai planning to add a new drone route across the Huangpu River to further solidify its technological leadership in the on-demand delivery sector.
Overseas Pilot: "Air Express" in High Temperatures and Sandstorms
As the first Chinese-owned drone delivery project to be implemented in the Middle East, Meituan's first Dubai route began trial operations in the Jumeirah Beach area in early 2025, primarily delivering food orders and fresh produce. To address the local high temperatures (exceeding 45°C in summer) and sandstorm-prone climate, Meituan upgraded the drones' bodies with corrosion-resistant coatings and optimized navigation algorithms to handle complex electromagnetic environments. The newly added Dubai Marina waterfront route will cover approximately 500 merchants, aiming to achieve delivery within 15 minutes within a 3-kilometer radius.
Domestic Breakthrough: A "Three-Dimensional Delivery Network" from Shenzhen to Shanghai
By the end of 2024, Meituan had launched 53 drone delivery routes domestically, completing nearly 500,000 missions, with Shenzhen accounting for over 70% of the total. In 2025, the strategic focus will shift to megacities-Shanghai plans to add 4 to 5 new routes, with 1 to 2 crossing the Huangpu River to connect Pudong's Lujiazui with the Bund on the west bank, addressing traditional ground traffic congestion issues. Previously, Beijing piloted the "Great Wall Scenic Area - Mountain Foot Convenience Store" route to validate delivery capabilities in mountainous terrain.
Technical Outlook: 10% of On-Demand Delivery May Be Completed by Drones
Meituan Vice President Mao Yinian revealed that drone delivery costs are 30%-50% lower than traditional human labor, and future efforts will focus on expanding into high-value-added scenarios such as medical emergencies and fresh produce cold chain logistics. The company's self-developed fourth-generation drone has a payload capacity of 8 kilograms and a range exceeding 25 kilometers, capable of meeting over 90% of on-demand delivery order requirements. "Globally, 10%-15% of on-demand delivery orders are expected to be fulfilled by drones," Mao Yinian stated.