Astral beat 48 other entries from small startups to large multinationals.
In August last year, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) said that it had received at least 1,000 applications seeking regulatory approval to operate drone-based technology.
Currently, there is no legal framework for the use of non-military drones.
A Kenyan-based company has received an award from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for developing a concept for the management of drone traffic in Africa.
Astral Aerial Solutions received the IATA Air Cargo Innovation Award which comes with a $20,000 (Sh2.06 million) cheque for further development of the concept. In a statement, IATA said that Astral’s concept has the potential to set up a safe, secure, and effective foundation for Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) traffic management. An unmanned aircraft, sometimes called a drone, does not have a human pilot on board and is instead controlled by an operator on the ground. “Drone technology has strong potential to boost the continent’s air connectivity and deliver goods and services to remote regions and more critical lifesaving products to those in need,” said Astral Aviation chief executive Sanjeev Gadhia.
Astral beat 48 other entries from small startups to large multinationals.
In August last year, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) said that it had received at least 1,000 applications seeking regulatory approval to operate drone-based technology.
Currently, there is no legal framework for the use of non-military drones. However, proposed regulations indicate that commercial drone owners will be required to get Ministry of Defence clearance and have trained pilots. Civilians will also be restricted from flying drones at a height of above 400 feet.
Astral was one of the companies that had applied for a license to operate the drone. Last year, the company said that it had set apart Sh50 million ($500,000) to start drone operations this year.
The government has also expressed interest in exploring drone use for commercial purposes. Earlier this month, the ICT cabinet secretary, Mr Joe Mucheru, said that the government would fund two University of Nairobi students that have developed a prototype for a locally manufactured drone.
