Matternet receives GACA approval to operate its M2 drone
US-based urban drone delivery system developer, Matternet, has received approval from Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) to operate its M2 drone in the Kingdom.
This makes Matternet the first drone operator to gain such approval in the country.
GACA granted the approval after determining that the M2 drone, which received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Type Certification in the US in September 2022, met the agency’s airworthiness standards.
“We are proud to have received this acceptance from GACA and are honored that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recognises our dedication to safety and operational excellence,” said Andreas Raptopoulos, Founder and CEO of Matternet.
“The Middle East is an exciting region for drone delivery, and Saudi Arabia represents the largest economy. Riyadh will have autonomous drone delivery as a new layer of city infrastructure, enabling ultra-fast, cost-efficient, zero-emissions delivery for its businesses and residents.”
Expanding global footprint
Matternet has been expanding its global footprint in recent years through strategic partnerships and regulatory approvals.
In 2021, the company entered the Middle East market by partnering with the Abu Dhabi Department of Health to introduce city-wide medical drone deliveries.
The following year, Matternet launched the world’s longest urban drone delivery route in Zurich, Switzerland.
Most recently, in 2024, the company entered the home delivery market by launching the first-ever drone delivery operation in Silicon Valley.
“We have seen rapid growth in the development and population of cities such as Riyadh,” said Jason Secore, Matternet’s Chief Financial Officer.
“This will create a greater need for delivery and lead to mounting pressure on the current infrastructure to keep up with demand. Drone delivery will play a key role in managing these challenges in a timely and scalable manner.”
Looking ahead, Matternet plans to further scale its operations across the US, Europe, and the Middle East in 2025.