iFood Starts Drone Deliveries in São Paulo: The Future of Urban Logistics Has Arrived

What once seemed like a scene from science fiction has become a reality in the skies of Latin America’s largest metropolis. On June 1, 2026, iFood officially announced the start of its commercial drone delivery operations in the city of São Paulo. This historic milestone represents a revolution in urban logistics, promising to drastically reduce delivery times and environmental impact in one of the most congested capitals in the world.

Regulatory Approval and Technological Partnership

The commencement of operations in the state capital was only possible after obtaining definitive certification from the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) and the Department of Airspace Control (DECEA). After years of rigorous testing in cities like Campinas and Aracaju, regulatory bodies certified the safety of the system. The operation is the result of an ongoing partnership with Speedbird Aero, the Brazilian company responsible for developing and manufacturing the unmanned aircraft (eVTOLs) used in the project.

How the Operation Works in São Paulo

It is important to note that the drones will not deliver directly to customers’ windows. The operation uses a model of fixed routes between “Droneports” (safe takeoff and landing hubs). The journey works as follows: the order is prepared in the restaurant, taken to the takeoff hub (often located on the roofs of shopping malls or commercial centers), and the drone performs the main aerial route, bypassing city traffic. Upon landing at the destination hub, an iFood delivery partner collects the package and completes the “last mile” to the customer’s door using an electric bicycle or motorcycle.

Cutting-Edge Technology and Safety

The aircraft deployed in this initial phase have the capacity to carry payloads of up to 2.5 kg, covering distances at a cruising speed of approximately 40 km/h. Safety is the absolute priority of the operation. Each drone is equipped with multiple redundancy systems, including pre-programmed routes with geofencing, next-generation anti-collision sensors, and an autonomous parachute system that deploys instantly in the event of any engine failure.

Environmental Impact and Time Reduction

Beyond the efficiency gains—routes that would take 45 minutes in São Paulo’s peak traffic are now completed in less than 10 minutes of flight time—the project has a strong sustainability appeal. The aircraft are 100% electric and operate with zero carbon emissions. iFood projects that the partial replacement of ground routes with aerial pathways will remove thousands of combustion vehicles from the streets daily, significantly contributing to the reduction of the company’s carbon footprint.

With this bold step, São Paulo consolidates itself as one of the world’s leading hubs for mobility innovation, paving the way for on-demand aerial delivery to become a definitive standard in the coming years.