For the first time, delivery drones supply climbers and clean trash on Mount Everest by Nepal’s 1st Drone Company Airlift Ventures.
Airlift Ventures, a Nepal-based company, has emerged as a key player in addressing the waste issue on Mount Everest by using drone technology for deliveries and removals.
Airlift Ventures made history by initiating the world’s first drone delivery at the highest altitude during their Everest transport test, setting a global record for 6,000-meter transport. This breakthrough is expected to offer new solutions for various commercial climbing projects around the world.Their drones can transport supplies like oxygen bottles and tents to climbers, reducing the need for traditional methods of carrying goods.
Additionally, they have started contributing to waste management by using drones to airlift garbage off the mountain, helping to mitigate Everest’s growing reputation as the “world’s highest garbage dump.” By integrating modern technology with the local expertise of Sherpas, Airlift Ventures is playing a crucial role in ensuring the sustainability of Everest expeditions.
To address the issues of supply transport and waste management on Everest, the Nepalese government has been actively seeking innovative solutions. Airlift Ventures, in collaboration with Nepal’s local government, has played a key role in these efforts. By utilizing drone technology, Airlift Ventures has not only helped transport essential supplies like oxygen bottles and tents to climbers but also contributed significantly to waste removal initiatives. Their partnership with the government aims to alleviate the logistical challenges of supply transport while tackling the growing problem of waste accumulation on Everest. This collaboration marks a step forward in preserving the mountain’s environment and supporting sustainable climbing practices.
In April 2024,Airlift Ventures, conducted drone transportation tests on the southern slope of Everest using the drones. This event marked the first successful round-trip transport test by a cargo drone at altitudes ranging from 5,300 to 6,000 meters, establishing a new record for civilian drone transport.
From April 25 to May 1, Airlift Ventures conducted the world’s first highest drone delivery using FC30 drones. During the tests, they completed hover tests, unloaded transport tests, and loaded round-trip transport tests in the southern base camp region (at an altitude of 5,300 meters) and higher altitudes. The tests demonstrated that the FC30 could stably transport 15 kg of supplies from the 5,300-meter Everest Base Camp to the 6,000-meter C1 base camp, reducing the risky and time-consuming (6-8 hours) trek across the Khumbu Icefall to just 10 minutes. In addition to this achievement, Airlift Ventures successfully transported 33 kg of supplies, further proving the drone’s capacity for high-altitude logistics.
Following this success, the next commercial flight by Airlift Ventures delivered 33 kg of supplies, including ladders, garbage, and fixing ropes, showcasing the drone’s practical capabilities for high-altitude operations and enhancing the efficiency of climbing expeditions.
During a flight test, Airlift was able to transport 234 kg in two hours, a task that would typically take 14 porter’s six hours to complete. Airlift plans to use heavy-lift drones to transport garbage from the 5800 meter high Ama Dablam, located south of Everest. This will mark the first time an unmanned aerial vehicle will perform commercial work in Nepal’s high-altitude region.
Airlift Ventures pioneered the world’s first drone delivery at the highest altitude, a milestone that could accelerate the regular use of high-altitude drone transport. This advancement may usher in a new era for high-altitude climbing and rescue operations, contributing to environmental protection and the sustainable development of the climbing industry.
