Kenyan Cargo Operator Astral Aviation to Cooperate on Autonomous C208 Usage in Sub-Saharan

Reliable Robotics and Kenya-based cargo operator Astral Aviation have announced their collaboration in using autonomous cargo aircraft throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Reliable Robotics has been hard at work seeking certification of its automated Cessna Caravan 208, making headway as they obtain approval for fully-autopiloted flights with a safety pilot at the helm. As they advance towards general certification, Reliable has begun laying the groundwork for international expansion into locales that could most benefit from their systems. Astral Aviation is similarly young and hungry, growing quickly with a 15-strong fleet and an uncrewed UAV subsidiary in Central Africa. The Caravan is already a favorite in the area, operating throughout the continent as a reliable, functional workhorse for far-flung settlements and villages alike. Currently, more than 350 208s are flying across Africa, the poster child of single-engine turbine bush plane. 

Reliable Robotics will expand the air cargo network of the region, improving economic access in a region where most major cities lie more than 2,500 miles apart. The company sees their automation as a solution that can help reduce prices and avoid many of the inherent difficulties of operating in the area, like the busy ports, poor road networks, sparse infrastructure, and lacking pilot corps. While the details have yet to be released, Astral CEO Sanjeev Gadhia hinted that Reliable's systems will be put into use just like any other cargo aircraft in the airline. 

“We are preparing for explosive growth in regional trade and the need to transport significantly more air cargo across Africa. Automation will enable us to serve more routes. We look forward to working with Reliable to safely transport larger payloads over longer distances at lower cost with remotely operated aircraft.” Astral recently announced that it would be the launch operator for the Embraer E190 Freighter, setting the company up for strong growth in an area seeing 4% GDP growth. The Sub-Saharan is seeing a strong undercurrent of tech in recent years, as companies see fertile, untapped markets without pre-existing competitors. Their interest means Reliable Robotics should have even better network coverage, communications, retail, and financial infrastructure by the time their system is approved. 

“The African aviation sector is primed for change and automated aircraft can be part of the solution to the market’s constraints,” said Robert Rose, Co-founder and CEO at Reliable Robotics. “Astral has deep experience operating in Africa, and we share a vision for how automation and remotely piloted aircraft can help the region reach its economic potential with safer, more flexible and cost-efficient air transport.”

FMI: www.reliable.co