France is set to lead the world in postal delivery services, as the country’s post office for the first time is deploying drones to regularly deliver parcels.

DPDgroup, the international express subsidiary of Le Groupe La Poste, France’s postal service, has been granted authorization by the French government’s civil aviation division to deliver parcels using drones on a regular 15-kilometer (9.3-mile) route.

Initially starting as a commercial trial, the first service will see a drone transport parcels between Saint-Maximin-La-Sainte-Beaume and Pourrières, in France’s famous Provence region. Interestingly, the route won’t simply be delivering random parcels, but will deliver items to a “cut-off incubator of companies” that includes a dozen technology start-ups.

The drones use a small terminal at each end that is used to secure the parcel at pick-up and placement of the parcel at delivery. The terminals include a structure protecting access to the drone during landing and takeoff phases (right), an automated carriage system and electronics to make sure handling operations around the drone are done safely.

Drones being used for the initial trial service have been developed in conjunction with French drone maker Atechsys. They have a range of up to 20 kilometers as well as an average speed of 30 kilometers per hour (18.6 miles per hour) and they can carry a payload of up to 4 kilograms, or 8.8 pounds. The drones include six electrical rotors, a carbon fiber frame, embedded GPS and flight camera with data reporting and automatic parachute deployment in the case of the drone failing.

“For the first time worldwide, a regular commercial route makes it possible to deliver parcels by drone,” DPDGroup said in a statement. “This represents a new way of addressing the issue of last-mile deliveries, especially when it comes to areas that are difficult to access.”

The U.S. Postal Service has previously looked at deploying drones but has never progressed far with the project. E-commerce giant Amazon.com Inc. has only managed to test delivery drones in a single trial in the United Kingdom but has not yet established regular drone deliveries.

Images courtesy of DPDGroup