Korea Airports Corporation to Launch 'K-Drone Delivery' in Sangju, Service to Be Established by November

Practical Introduction of UTM System
Establishment Around Gyeongcheon Island in Sangju

Korea Airports Corporation is set to commercialize real-world drone delivery using its self-developed Drone Traffic Management (UTM) technology. The corporation aims to enhance the safety of the drone industry by combining the control technology of public institutions with the infrastructure of local governments.

The Korea Airport Corporation's Future Air Traffic Center is explaining the 'KAC Drone Traffic Management (UTM) System' developed independently by the corporation. Korea Airport Corporation

Korea Airports Corporation announced on March 17 that it has been selected as the operator for the K-Drone Delivery commercialization project in the “2026 Drone Demonstration City Construction Project” hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The selection of project operators was completed on March 9. Sangju City, DoomDoom, and the Gyeongbuk Institute of IT Convergence Industry Technology are jointly participating in the project, with plans to establish a smart delivery service around Gyeongcheon Island in Sangju by November.

The corporation will be responsible for integrated control, including drone identification, tracking, route deviation, and collision warnings, through its proprietary UTM system. UTM is a core system that supports safe drone operation, including a geofencing function that restricts flights within virtual boundaries. Sangju City will be in charge of infrastructure development, DoomDoom will manufacture delivery drones, and the Gyeongbuk Institute of IT Convergence Industry Technology will handle demonstration data analysis.

The corporation plans to reliably manage the entire drone delivery process through an integrated control system that connects real-time delivery status and CCTV footage. Based on this demonstration, the corporation intends to expand the application of customized UTM technology across a wide range of public services, including facility inspections and safety accident monitoring.

Jaehee Park, Acting President of Korea Airports Corporation, stated, “This project marks the first case of applying UTM technology to an actual drone delivery service,” adding, “Through the successful implementation of the project, we will accelerate the revitalization of the drone industry.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.