eCommerce: Shipping Trends

Almost Two-Thirds of German Consumers Favor Drone Delivery of Packages

Most German consumers think favorably about drone deliveries. But it may still take some time until they are widely adopted. Here is why.

Article by Nadine Koutsou-Wehling | September 24, 2024

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Topics

Germany, Shipping, Sustainability, eCommerce Trends

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Drone Deliveries in Germany: Key Insights

High Acceptance of Drone Deliveries: A recent Bitkom survey found that 64% of consumers in Germany would like to have their packages delivered by drone. The percentage rises among city dwellers.
A Growth Market With Obstacles: Despite the high revenue potential of the global cargo drone market, some challenges remain, especially in a highly regulated environment such as Germany.

The majority of German consumers are looking forward to drone deliveries! What seems like a sci-fi gimmick is actually closer to reality than one might think.

In a Bitkom survey of German respondents, 64% of them said they would like to receive package deliveries via drones. The results vary depending on where the respondents live. City dwellers are more likely to respond positively: The percentage of positive feedback rose to 68% for people living in cities. In contrast, only 58% of rural residents said they would like to receive drone deliveries.

Global Cargo Market Is Growing, But Challenges Remain

The global cargo drone market is a nascent industry, with revenues just starting to pass the US$1 billion mark. But as adoption increases, revenues are expected to grow exponentially. Forecasts predict a market value of nearly US$18 billion by 2028.

Total Value of the Worldwide Cargo Drone Market, 2023-2030

Major retailers like Amazon and Walmart are already testing the waters for a possible rollout in the coming years. But widespread adoption, especially in the highly regulated environment of Germany, is a challenge.

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Accordingly, 56% of German consumers would like to see a faster rollout of drones for package delivery. Despite high consumer acceptance, regulations regarding airspace integration, privacy and safety standards are still being worked out.

There are also concerns about the widespread use of drones for package delivery. Among German consumers, 51% fear damage from crashes or collisions, 45% of consumers say drone delivery would be more suitable for remote locations, and 39% say they would feel disturbed by increased air traffic.

Sources: Bitkom