A trial involving medical drones between Isala Meppel and Isala Zwolle is being extended until mid-2027. Over 800 flights have now been carried out during the trial. In the long term, the pilot is intended to lead to the development of a nationwide network for the transport of medical supplies by air.
The pilot scheme began in September 2025. It is the first long-term trial in the Netherlands involving medical drone flights between two hospital sites. The drone follows a fixed route of 22 kilometres, which takes an average of 14 minutes to complete. Among other things, it transports medicines and blood samples.
The trial is an initiative of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, the ANWB, Isala, KPN and Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL). The focus is not only on testing drones as a means of transport, but also on how drones can be safely integrated into Dutch airspace and how drone transport can be incorporated into existing hospital processes.
No significant impact on medication and blood samples
During the first year, various medical supplies were transported by drone, including paracetamol, chilled medication and blood samples. A key part of the trial was to investigate the impact of transport on the quality of these materials.
The initial results of the pilot show that transport by drone has no significant impact on the quality of the medicines under investigation. Similarly, research into blood samples has so far shown that drone flights do not, in principle, have a significant impact on the quality of the sample material. In the coming period, investigations will focus on whether the application is also suitable for other forms of medical transport.
Flights beyond the pilot’s line of sight
A key part of the trial involves carrying out so-called Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flights. In these flights, the drone operates outside the pilot’s direct line of sight. The route between Meppel and Zwolle passes through airspace that is also used by, amongst others, air ambulance and police helicopters, recreational aviation, the armed forces and other drone operators.
Over the past period, experience has been gained in safely conducting these flights in shared airspace. The route between the two hospital sites serves as a dedicated drone corridor. The experience gained should help in developing procedures and regulations for the further expansion of medical drone flights.
KPN Drone Connect is being used to communicate with the drones. This 4G and 5G network provides real-time insight into network coverage and connection quality at drone altitude.
Weather conditions remain a limiting factor
The pilot is also identifying the technology’s limitations. For instance, strong winds appear to restrict the drones’ operational capability. On some days, flights had to be postponed or cancelled. Technical issues also came to light during the flights, which will be investigated further as the pilot continues.
On the route between Meppel and Zwolle, tests are also being carried out on various technologies designed to improve the visibility and safety of drones. These include electronic visibility, detection systems, transponders and radar integration.
Pilot scheme to be expanded
With the extension until mid-2027, the research will be expanded. Among other things, the parties involved wish to examine various forms of laboratory diagnostics, multiple patient groups and a broader range of applications for pharmaceutical products. In the long term, the pilot is intended to lead to the development of new drone corridors and a nationwide medical drone network.
The current trial builds on previous Dutch experiments with medical drone transport. Earlier studies investigated whether drones are suitable for transporting items such as blood samples, biopsies and medication between healthcare locations. Compared with these earlier trials, the route between Meppel and Zwolle is longer. The focus is shifting from individual test flights to regular deployment and the integration of drones into the existing airspace.
