The conversation offered one of the clearest and most practical assessments yet of where drone logistics stands today and where it is heading.

Logistics is changing faster than its infrastructure

Modern logistics is no longer defined by moving large consignments across long distances. It is defined by the daily movement of countless small parcels, often travelling to widely dispersed areas. Vans and trucks remain the backbone of delivery networks, but they were built for another era. They perform well when moving hundreds of kilos along planned routes. They perform poorly when delivering only a few items down long detours.

As Etienne put it on the podcast, this light cargo segment has become the real pressure point in global supply chains. Thousands of daily deliveries consist of only one or two parcels. They are slow, expensive and environmentally inefficient when handled by road vehicles.

This is where autonomous aircraft provide a structural advantage. They do not require the same infrastructure as ground transport, they serve low density areas without detours, and they create a more sustainable way to complete the hardest and least efficient part of the delivery chain.

A platform purpose built for long range delivery

During the discussion, Etienne spoke about how IONA is not simply building a drone but creating a certified autonomous aircraft platform designed to complement existing fleets. The current prototype has a three metre wingspan and is engineered for long range efficiency. It takes off vertically, transitions into forward wing flight and carries meaningful payloads without compromising reliability.

The objective is not for drones to replace vans. It is to give operators an intelligent tool for the routes where road vehicles struggle to make economic sense. Time sensitive deliveries, medical logistics, rural connections and remote area supply chains all benefit from a faster, greener and more predictable alternative.

Safety, certification and what responsible scaling looks like

Regulation often dominates public debate about drones, and the podcast addressed it directly. Etienne explained how the European Aviation Safety Agency and the Irish Aviation Authority provide some of the most advanced regulatory frameworks in the world for autonomous aircraft. Every operational scenario is examined, from technical reliability to environmental impact.

Ireland’s proactive regulatory stance is one of the reasons IONA chose to scale operations here. The country offers a rare combination of supportive innovation policy and rigorous aviation oversight, making it an ideal environment for a company building certified autonomous aircraft.

Public concerns about crowded skies, noise or risk were discussed with equal clarity. Adoption will begin in the places where drones offer immediate and obvious benefit. Rural routes, emergency supply chains and medical deliveries are early examples. Growth will be careful and measured rather than abrupt or disruptive.

The emergence of a European alternative

Etienne also highlighted a point that is rarely acknowledged in public discourse: Europe risks missing its window if it does not act intentionally. Global organisations such as Amazon and Alphabet are investing billions into autonomous logistics. If European companies are to play a meaningful role in the next decade of supply chain infrastructure, they must invest in deep engineering, certified aircraft platforms and long range capability now.

IONA is doing exactly that. The company is expanding its team, building advanced composite manufacturing capability in Galway and preparing for further investment as it moves from prototype to scaled operations. Early trials in Ireland are already underway, with more public deployments planned within the coming year.

The future of delivery will be built on integrated fleets

One of the strongest themes in the episode was the rejection of a common misconception: drones are not a replacement for traditional fleets. They are an intelligent, data driven extension of them. The future of logistics will be built on blended operations, where vans, trucks, robotics, autonomous aircraft and digital infrastructure all function as one system.

IONA’s platform is designed precisely for this. It combines certified aircraft with smart hubs and fleet automation, allowing operators to start with a single aircraft and grow their network at low break even levels.

In Etienne’s words, the aim is simple: to create a delivery capability that reaches everywhere and works for everyone.

Listen to the full conversation

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For IONA, this acknowledgement marks an important moment in our journey. The company was founded in 2021 with a clear ambition to connect communities that traditional logistics has struggled to reach. From our base in County Clare, we have been developing autonomous delivery networks designed to provide reliable access for rural and remote regions that have often been left outside the modern logistics landscape.

The selection by the Business Post reflects the progress made by the IONA team in building technology and operations that address real world challenges in transport and connectivity. It also recognises the broader value of supporting innovation across Ireland, particularly in sectors that can deliver new economic opportunities and improve quality of life for communities nationwide.

Moments like this serve as an important reminder of the determination and teamwork that enable early stage companies to grow from an idea into a functioning enterprise. The path from concept to implementation involves vision, ongoing refinement and no shortage of late nights in the workshop, and the entire team can take pride in what has been achieved to date.

We are grateful to the Business Post and Enterprise Ireland for their continued support of emerging Irish companies, and we extend sincere thanks to our colleagues and partners who contribute to IONA’s progress every day. Recognition such as this reinforces our commitment to advancing autonomous logistics solutions that serve all communities and help shape the future of regional connectivity in Ireland.

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Speaking alongside colleagues from DSV, the BCN Drone Center, ST Engineering and Somerset Council, IONA shared insights on the technology, manufacturing and investment priorities that will shape the next phase of autonomous logistics.

Moving beyond short range operations

The discussion highlighted that short range delivery has already demonstrated commercial viability, with several operators proving scalable operations in suburban environments. The panel noted that the next major opportunity lies in enabling flights over greater distances to connect communities that conventional ground logistics cannot reach easily or efficiently.

IONA emphasised that as aircraft capabilities advance, the definition of the product must evolve in parallel. The term drone covers a wide diversity of systems, and long range cargo aircraft demand engineering approaches more akin to traditional aviation.

Manufacturing as a strategic enabler

A key message from the session was the growing importance of advanced manufacturing in developing long range platforms. Cargo drones designed for extended operations are complex systems with significant integration requirements, and production techniques must match this level of sophistication.

IONA outlined its work in this area, including the recently awarded four million euro DTIF project delivered in partnership with the CREST Technology Gateway and Eire Composites. This collaborative programme will focus on pushing the boundaries of composite manufacturing to create lighter and more robust aircraft structures suited to demanding logistics environments.

Investment in full system development

The panel also explored the wider investment landscape for autonomous aviation. While enabler technologies continue to attract substantial attention, IONA underlined the need for greater support for original equipment manufacturers capable of delivering integrated hardware and software systems at a certifiable level. Achieving real autonomy requires complete risk control frameworks that go beyond data processing alone, and long term market value will sit with companies that develop fully integrated systems.

A forward looking conversation for the sector

The session at Aerial Cities 2025 brought together a range of perspectives on how drone logistics can transition from isolated demonstrations to reliable operational networks. For IONA, the discussion reaffirmed the importance of advancing manufacturing capability, refining aircraft design and shaping an ecosystem that recognises the strategic contribution of system level development.

We extend our thanks to the event organisers, fellow panellists and attendees for contributing to a thoughtful and timely conversation on the future of long range drone logistics and the role it will play in improving connectivity for underserved regions.

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The project aims to address one of the most persistent challenges in drone-enabled logistics,  which is how to manufacture high performance aircraft structures for commercial deployment. While many systems progress successfully through prototyping, they often struggle to reach a point where production can be achieved cost-effectively and consistently. LIFT will focus on rethinking material selection, manufacturing processes and production workflows in order to create aircraft that are lighter, stronger and suitable for operation at scale.

The role of Eire Composites

Eire Composites will contribute its extensive experience in aerospace and space-grade composite structures. The company will lead the development of a new generation of airframes designed to reduce overall aircraft weight while maintaining the structural strength and reliability required for real world operations. The team will also investigate automated manufacturing methods that enhance production capacity and deliver uniform quality across each build.

Tomas Flanagan, Chief Executive of Eire Composites, commented:
“Our involvement in the LIFT Project enables us to push the boundaries of what composite materials and automated manufacturing can achieve for drone logistics. Developing airframes that are lighter, stronger and optimised for real world operations is a complex challenge, but it is exactly the kind of challenge our team excels at. We look forward to bringing our aerospace and space sector expertise to this important national initiative.”

Contribution of the Technological University of Dublin

The Technological University of Dublin will provide research support across materials science, engineering analysis and advanced manufacturing systems. Its involvement will ensure strong links between academic research and industrial application, enabling the consortium to test new approaches, validate performance and accelerate technology readiness.

National investment in disruptive technology

The funding announced for LIFT is part of a wider €36.9 million allocation under Call Seven of the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund. The programme supports collaborations between small and medium enterprises, multinational companies, and research institutions with the aim of developing breakthrough technologies across a range of strategic sectors.

Government representatives highlighted the significance of this investment in strengthening Ireland’s innovation capability and supporting research that can directly influence industry performance, competitiveness and job creation. The fund continues to encourage projects that demonstrate clear potential to address real world challenges and position Ireland at the forefront of technological development.

A step forward for scalable drone operations

Through the LIFT Project, IONA and its partners will work towards creating production-ready aircraft platforms that enable logistics operators to integrate drone technology into their operations with confidence. The combination of advanced composite engineering, automated production and academic research provides a strong foundation for building aircraft capable of large scale deployment.

The project represents a major step in turning the promise of drone logistics into a practical and commercially viable reality.

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The Irish Times highlighted the core challenge driving IONA’s work: the high cost and inefficiency of delivering lightweight parcels to scattered or rural destinations using conventional ground fleets. Etienne  explained that equal access to delivery is a fundamental requirement for communities outside high density areas. “Access to delivery should not depend on where you live,” he said. “Rural residents deserve the same price and the same availability of goods as anyone else.”

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shaping the future of their industries through innovation, determination and meaningful impact. Being featured among individuals who are contributing remarkable work across Europe represents an important moment for both our founder and the wider IONA team.

Although the accolade is attributed to a single name, it reflects the collective effort behind IONA’s recent progress. The company has experienced a period of rapid development in the past year, driven by the dedication of a team that has consistently worked through technical challenges, refined new approaches and delivered solutions for complex problems. Each advance has been the product of shared resilience and continual problem solving.

Etienne Louvet “Despite my single name being cited, I’m also humbled as I know that my team made that possible. The acceleration and progress made in the past months is the result of hard work all together, dealing with doubts and finding new solutions to new problems, day after day.”

This recognition encourages us in our mission  . IONA remains focused on building autonomous delivery networks capable of supporting logistics anywhere and for everyone, with particular emphasis on regions that have traditionally been underserved. As the company continues to scale, we look forward to announcing several key milestones that will demonstrate the next stage of our technology and operations.

“Thanks, Saïf-Deen, Nikhil, Conrad, Om, Sebastian, Jonny, and Arush, not forgetting all of the people who have been supportive and helpful every day on this almost 3-year journey Davide, Nicola, Iain, Ben, Matthew, Alex, Tom, Guy, Dave, Matt, Alfonso, Allison, Richard, Frank, Quentin, Prashant, Steve, Scott, Veronica, Nicola, Iain, David, Steve, Luigi, Andrea, Will, David and many others!”This recognition from Forbes is a welcome signal for IONA’s trajectory. It strengthens our commitment to delivering advances in cleantech, aerospace, logistics, and robotics that can broaden access and expand access and connectivity globally.

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