ANA Holdings completes Okinawa medical drone trials
The successful trials pave the way for the company to launch regular medical logistics flights across the Japanese prefecture in the next year
ANA Holdings has completed a series of long-distance medical logistics drone trials in Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture.
The trials, conducted between 19 October 2025 and 29 January 2026, used drones manufactured by Skyways Air Transportation to transport prescription pharmaceuticals and blood samples across the island-based prefecture.
The drones flew along two routes, connecting Itoman City to Kumejima Town (a distance of approximately 100km), and Nago City (89km).
The trials were conducted in partnership with the governments of Okinawa Prefecture and Nago City, and funded through a grant from the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism awarded in August last year.
The initiative aims to eventually launch commercial drone services in the prefecture ahead of the 2027 financial year. To support the project, ANA has signed a long-term agreement with Skyways.
The next stage in the process will see ANA and its partners “evaluate the next steps toward practical implementation”, based on the results of the trials.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at AirMed&Rescue. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.