Japan Airlines (JAL) announced it would launch a new drone operator training program to accelerate drone-led business development in Japan post COVID-19.

On September 1, 2020, JAL’s statement said the program would start on October 5 of the same year. JAL Mobility Operation Academy (JAMOA) intends to train approximately ten people per course to operate drones in Japan’s urban areas safely.

The program would offer three separate disciplines for technical, cognitive, and communication skills. According to JAL, the program would equip unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operators with a similar knowledge base to that of commercial pilots.

The company expects drone-led services to accelerate in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, especially in metropolitan areas such as Tokyo.

The announcement came a day after Japan Airlines issued a joint statement with four other companies about conducting a drone-based delivery study of food and pharmaceuticals. The research is backed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly and is set to take place in Tokyo Bay from August 2020 to March 2022.

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Japan Airlines backed by Tokyo government to study drones
Japan Airlines (JAL) announced to be partaking in a drone study aiming to explore the logistics of delivering pharmaceuticals, food and security services by 2022.