Just Eat has partnered with a drone delivery ‘as a service’ platform to offer aerial food deliveries in Dublin, Ireland.

Ireland’s Manna, which purports to the be the world’s first aviation-grade B2B drone delivery ‘as-a-service’ platform, is launching its airborne logistics platform ‘in-a-box’ with partners Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and food brand Camile Thai via Just Eat’s delivery service.

The platform promises to deliver to a large customer base with a sub three-minute delivery promise from restaurant to customer.

The autonomous drone fleet is operated by Manna directly from the restaurant or dark kitchen premises and is accessible via API to food tech providers and online food platforms alike in a channel-agnostic manner.

“Technology is at the core of everything we do at Just Eat, so we’re delighted to be involved in these pioneering trials with Manna, who have clearly built a ground-breaking drone delivery system,” said Amanda Roche-Kelly, Managing Director of Just Eat Ireland.

“Transforming the business of food delivery as we know it, this coming together of two complementary services will greatly improve the delivery experience for our customers and further adds to the countless ways we connect people with food, everywher.

“We are just so proud to be Ireland’s and indeed the world’s first online food ordering and delivery platform to provide a commercial drone delivery offering to our customers.”

Manna CEO and founder Bobby Healy said: “It’s clear that Drone delivery provides a faster, cleaner, safer, cheaper and higher quality alternative to road-based delivery. We are excited about how that will improve the world.”

He added: “This technology will transform online food marketplaces, restaurants, dark kitchens, and communities globally.

“The Irish Aviation Authority have been a tremendous help and guide over the past three years, working together we have ensured that our drones are extremely safe in all operating conditions.”