Drone delivery is shifting from curiosity to critical infrastructure. The transition is not driven by hype but by a structural change in global logistics that traditional systems were never designed for. On Episode 272 of That Great Business Show, IONA founder Etienne Louvet joined a deep and candid discussion about what it will take for autonomous delivery to scale, the realities behind the technology, and why Europe has a narrow but significant opportunity to lead.
The conversation offered one of the clearest and most practical assessments yet of where drone logistics stands today and where it is heading.
Logistics is changing faster than its infrastructure
Modern logistics is no longer defined by moving large consignments across long distances. It is defined by the daily movement of countless small parcels, often travelling to widely dispersed areas. Vans and trucks remain the backbone of delivery networks, but they were built for another era. They perform well when moving hundreds of kilos along planned routes. They perform poorly when delivering only a few items down long detours.
As Etienne put it on the podcast, this light cargo segment has become the real pressure point in global supply chains. Thousands of daily deliveries consist of only one or two parcels. They are slow, expensive and environmentally inefficient when handled by road vehicles.
This is where autonomous aircraft provide a structural advantage. They do not require the same infrastructure as ground transport, they serve low density areas without detours, and they create a more sustainable way to complete the hardest and least efficient part of the delivery chain.
A platform purpose built for long range delivery
During the discussion, Etienne spoke about how IONA is not simply building a drone but creating a certified autonomous aircraft platform designed to complement existing fleets. The current prototype has a three metre wingspan and is engineered for long range efficiency. It takes off vertically, transitions into forward wing flight and carries meaningful payloads without compromising reliability.
The objective is not for drones to replace vans. It is to give operators an intelligent tool for the routes where road vehicles struggle to make economic sense. Time sensitive deliveries, medical logistics, rural connections and remote area supply chains all benefit from a faster, greener and more predictable alternative.
Safety, certification and what responsible scaling looks like
Regulation often dominates public debate about drones, and the podcast addressed it directly. Etienne explained how the European Aviation Safety Agency and the Irish Aviation Authority provide some of the most advanced regulatory frameworks in the world for autonomous aircraft. Every operational scenario is examined, from technical reliability to environmental impact.
Ireland’s proactive regulatory stance is one of the reasons IONA chose to scale operations here. The country offers a rare combination of supportive innovation policy and rigorous aviation oversight, making it an ideal environment for a company building certified autonomous aircraft.
Public concerns about crowded skies, noise or risk were discussed with equal clarity. Adoption will begin in the places where drones offer immediate and obvious benefit. Rural routes, emergency supply chains and medical deliveries are early examples. Growth will be careful and measured rather than abrupt or disruptive.
The emergence of a European alternative
Etienne also highlighted a point that is rarely acknowledged in public discourse: Europe risks missing its window if it does not act intentionally. Global organisations such as Amazon and Alphabet are investing billions into autonomous logistics. If European companies are to play a meaningful role in the next decade of supply chain infrastructure, they must invest in deep engineering, certified aircraft platforms and long range capability now.
IONA is doing exactly that. The company is expanding its team, building advanced composite manufacturing capability in Galway and preparing for further investment as it moves from prototype to scaled operations. Early trials in Ireland are already underway, with more public deployments planned within the coming year.
The future of delivery will be built on integrated fleets
One of the strongest themes in the episode was the rejection of a common misconception: drones are not a replacement for traditional fleets. They are an intelligent, data driven extension of them. The future of logistics will be built on blended operations, where vans, trucks, robotics, autonomous aircraft and digital infrastructure all function as one system.
IONA’s platform is designed precisely for this. It combines certified aircraft with smart hubs and fleet automation, allowing operators to start with a single aircraft and grow their network at low break even levels.
In Etienne’s words, the aim is simple: to create a delivery capability that reaches everywhere and works for everyone.
Listen to the full conversation