Aramex Launches Pilot to Integrate ‘Hili’ Hybrid VTOL Aircraft into Regional Logistics Operations

Aramex has begun testing a new delivery aircraft as part of a push to speed up shipments and expand use of autonomous technologies. The company has launched a pilot program in Abu Dhabi to integrate LODD Autonomous' 'Hili' hybrid VTOL aircraft into Aramex’s regional logistics operations.

The Hili is a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft that combines fixed-wing efficiency with the flexibility of a drone. With a payload capacity of 250 kgs, Hili can lift off in tight spaces, transition to forward flight, and cover longer distances than typical multicopter drones.

LODD Autonomous says the aircraft is designed for mid-range, high-frequency delivery routes that sit between conventional drone operations and small cargo planes. That range makes it a potential fit for the Middle East’s spread-out urban centers and growing network of remote communities.

The pilot has two phases, with the first focusing on delivering parcels from Aramex’s Musaffah facility to two temporary drone delivery points in Abu Dhabi. These points will serve as drop zones where couriers can collect shipments and deliver them directly to nearby areas, reducing driving time and improving overall route efficiency.

Etihad Cargo Partners with LODD Autonomous to Streamline Middle-Mile Delivery

The second phase, which will depend on the results of the first, involves expanding the pilot to cover deliveries from the Musaffah facility to three additional areas using a longer-range drone platform. This phase will evaluate how the technology performs over greater distances and in more complex routing scenarios, time, and improve overall route efficiency.

Executives at Aramex say the goal is not to replace human-led operations but to extend reach and remove bottlenecks during peak demand. The company has experimented with drones and robots in the past, but this is its first attempt at integrating a hybrid VTOL craft designed for regional legs.

If successful, Aramex says the Hili could support same-day delivery between distribution hubs, medical shipments, and specialized routes that are expensive or slow to serve with trucks.

Nicolas Sibuet, Acting Group CEO of Aramex said: “This partnership demonstrates our ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainability in last- and middle-mile logistics.

"By working with LODD Autonomous, we aim to test new autonomous technologies that can deliver smarter, faster, and greener outcomes for our customers across the Middle East.”

LODD Autonomous views the pilot as a chance to prove that hybrid VTOL aircraft can operate at scale in commercial logistics.

LODD Autonomous CEO, Rashid Al Manai, said: “Aramex has long been a pioneer in adopting advanced technologies to enhance the logistics sector. Through this collaboration, we demonstrate how Hili can be integrated smoothly into existing operations, delivering increased speed, safety, and predictability to middle-mile delivery.

"This pilot program is not only a milestone for LODD but also a step towards redefining how autonomous aerial logistics can support high-demand, time-critical networks across the region.”

Hili bridges a gap in the market by offering runway-free operations without the short flight times that limit smaller drones. It also claims reduced emissions compared to traditional short-haul aircraft, a point Aramex has highlighted as part of its sustainability commitments.

Both companies expect the initial phase of trials to conclude later this year. Aramex will then decide whether to expand the fleet, modify the aircraft’s operational role, or continue refining its performance.

For now, the pilot marks another step in the region’s fast-moving adoption of autonomous delivery technologies, and a signal that hybrid VTOL designs are gaining traction with major logistics players.

Read More: Aramex Names Amadou Diallo as Group CEO to Lead Next Phase of Growth