Business Post–: Manna, the Irish drone delivery company led by Bobby Healy, has formally applied for a licence to begin services in Britain.

Speaking to the Business Post, Healy said the company has already decided on an as-yet-unnamed location and secured commercial partners for a venture. He said Manna hopes to begin services in the summer of 2024, providing it receives approval from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Manna already has permission to operate drones in the European Union but needs to get separate permission from the UK due to Brexit. The UK government earlier this year announced the adoption of legislation that closely mirrors that in operation in the EU, meaning that in theory, approval should be relatively straightforward for Manna.

The company’s plans are also aided by the fact it has the support of the Welsh Development Agency, which backed the establishment of a facility by Manna in Wales where Manna’s drones were designed.

“There’s a strong willingness on the part of the UK government to do all it can to promote innovation, so we think it is a good environment for us to operate in. We are hopeful that our application will be approved,” said Healy.

Manna, which has already conducted more than 100,000 drone deliveries in trials in Oranmore, Co Galway, and Balbriggan, Co Dublin, recently announced plans for what is believed to be the world’s biggest trial in Blanchardstown, also in Dublin.

The company aims to reach a peak of 1,000 deliveries a day at peak with plans to reach over 100,000 people. It has has partnered with Falcon AM Real Estate, the operator of the Blanchardstown Centre, to seek planning permission from Dublin City Council to repurpose an existing car park as an aerial delivery hub. It has also received operation licences to fly drones in the area.

Manna has developed aviation-grade drones that fly at 60km/h and deliver goods including groceries, takeaways and medicines within a 3km radius in under three minutes.

The company, which has raised over $50 million since its foundation in 2018, plans to launch services in 25 locations next year, of which 15 will be in Ireland. It is estimated that between 1 million and 1.5 million people in Ireland should be able to avail of drone deliveries by Manna by the end of 2024.

In addition to Ireland and Britain, the company recently commenced trials in north Texas after securing investment from Coca-Cola HBC and is eyeing possible locations for deliveries in mainland Europe.