Narayana Health and Airbound complete drone logistics pilot between Chandapura Clinic and Electronic City laboratory

Narayana Health and Airbound have completed a medical logistics pilot connecting Narayana Health’s Chandapura Clinic to its central laboratory at Narayana Health City in Electronic City through aerial transport. The pilot demonstrates the use of aerial logistics for diagnostic sample movement across urban healthcare networks.

The pilot has been operational since January 2026, covering a 4 km aerial route in 10 minutes, compared to longer road transfers dependent on traffic conditions in Bengaluru. During the pilot, more than 700 flights were conducted over 54 consecutive operational days, with each flight carrying up to 40 diagnostic samples and recording zero failed deliveries.

Before the pilot, diagnostic samples from the Chandapura clinic were transported through three to four road transfers per day, with arrival times varying based on traffic. The aerial route now operates both on demand and on schedule, with up to 20 flights per day, enabling continuous sample transfer to the laboratory instead of batch-based deliveries. Within three weeks, road transport was discontinued, making the aerial route the sole link between the two facilities. This allows earlier sample processing and faster diagnostic turnaround times.

Commenting on the collaboration, Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, Founder and Chairman, Narayana Health, said,
“Driven by the conviction that technology is the primary catalyst for reducing healthcare costs, we are proud to announce the expansion of our medical drone delivery services. As lifelong proponents of technological integration, we have invested significantly over the past 25 years in building a robust digital platform designed to deliver safe, affordable, and accessible healthcare to all. Redefining Efficiency through centralization of essential services – such as clinical laboratories and blood banks – presents a massive opportunity to lower the cost of diagnostics and transfusions. Historically, however, the twin obstacles of transportation time and logistical expenses have hindered this transition.”

“By partnering with Airbound, a pioneer in drone technology, we are effectively removing these barriers. Following a highly successful pilot program connecting our clinic in Chandrapur with our hospital in Electronic City, we have seen firsthand the “amazing outcomes” that high-speed, low-cost aerial logistics can provide”, Dr Shetty added.

Following the pilot, Narayana Health is preparing to scale aerial logistics services at its upcoming hospital in Banashankari, subject to regulatory approvals. A new pilot corridor is planned to connect the Banashankari hospital with the flagship hospital in Electronic City.

“The standardization of drone transport for blood samples and life-saving blood bags will be a true game-changer, allowing for medical interventions at remarkable speeds. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Government for establishing a supportive regulatory framework that encourages such vital innovation. We also thank Airbound for their partnership in this journey toward a more efficient healthcare ecosystem”, Dr Shetty added further.

Naman Pushp, Founder and CEO of Airbound, said, “Completing 700+ flights across 54 days can only happen with two teams fully committed to the mission, and I am proud of what both teams have achieved. Narayana Health gave us something most partners would not, a real clinical environment with real consequences, and the trust to operate within it from day one. This pilot demonstrated that frequent, predictable aerial logistics is not a future concept and is running right now in one of India’s busiest cities. Conventional logistics is primed for change. Our ambition is to build a new layer of infrastructure for commercial freight, and when that change comes, distance stops being a barrier to opportunity.”

The pilot addressed a challenge in distributed healthcare systems where diagnostic samples from clinics were transported in scheduled batches limited by road logistics. With aerial transfers, laboratories receive a continuous flow of samples during the day.

This model enables clinics to collect samples near patients and send them to centralised laboratories, reducing the need for full diagnostic infrastructure at each location. It also supports expansion of diagnostic access and reduces congestion at hospital campuses.

Over the next few years, Airbound and Narayana Health plan to expand the model by connecting additional clinics and smaller private hospitals, including facilities outside the Narayana Health network, to the central laboratory at Narayana Health City.

Airbound’s aircraft use a blended-wing-body tailsitter design that combines vertical take-off with fixed-wing flight, enabling repeatable operations in urban environments.

Following the pilot in Bengaluru, the partners plan to expand aerial medical logistics routes across the city in phases and to other locations, including Kolkata, while continuing to work with regulators.