Vertiko Mobilité plans to buy 10 JC250 cargo drones from AIRO's Jaunt

Jaunt, a Canadian subsidiary of AIRO Group Holdings, has signed a non-binding letter of intent under which Vertiko Mobilité would buy 10 JC250 drones, AIRO announced. The two companies also plan to work together on autonomous cargo logistics in Canada with the JC250, a heavy-lift cargo drone that takes off and lands vertically.

AIRO said the 10 drones would be worth an estimated CD15–20 million at Jaunt's current indicative prices. They are meant first for logistics services to First Nations communities in Quebec and for more operational testing, and later for a wider logistics network run from Mirabel.

The first focus is the Atikamekw community of Manawan, where Vertiko is working on an air cargo corridor to the Joliette region for essential goods, medical supplies and other freight. Mirabel, where the FBO Helibellule has facilities, is to be the hub for the partnership's operations.

Jaunt and Vertiko said they would look at expanding JC250 cargo flights across the Greater Montreal region. Their longer-term plan includes a proposed autonomous drone logistics corridor from Windsor, Ontario, to Montreal, Quebec.