“Matternet Receives Approval for Operating M2 Drone in Saudi Arabia”
U.S‑based Matternet, the developer of a leading urban drone delivery system, announced this week the company has been approved by The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to operate its M2 drone within the region, reports a press release. This is the first operator to receive such approval.
The endorsement was granted by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), after the agency determined that the M2’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Type Certification issued by the U.S, met GACA airworthiness standards. This drone delivery system was the first to achieve such a distinction in September 2022.
Andreas Raptopoulos, Founder and CEO of Matternet, remarked, “We are proud to have received this acceptance from GACA. The Middle East is an exciting region for drone delivery and Saudi Arabia represents the largest economy. Riyadh will have autonomous drone delivery as a new layer of city infrastructure, enabling ultra-fast, cost-efficient, zero-emissions delivery for its businesses and residents.”
The release explains, “Since 2021, Matternet has established key partnerships around the world to expand its footprint. The company initially entered the Middle East market through a partnership with the Abu Dhabi Department of Health to provide city-wide medical delivery. The following year, Matternet launched the world’s longest urban drone delivery route in Zurich, Switzerland. In 2024, the company entered the home delivery market after launching the first-ever drone delivery operation in Silicon Valley.

Andreas Raptopoulos
Jason Secore, Matternet’s CFO, pointed out, “We have seen rapid growth in the development and population of cities such as Riyadh. This will create a greater need for delivery and lead to mounting pressure on the current infrastructure to keep up with demand.” Adding, “Drone delivery will play a key role in managing these challenges in a timely and scalable manner.”
This year, Matternet plans to continue scaling operations throughout the United States, Europe and the Middle East. The company is committed to ensuring its drone technology “exceeds regulatory standards to take advantage of exciting opportunities that will encourage mass adoption and drive the industry forward.”
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(Top image: Matternet M2 Drone — Credit: Matternet)
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