Phase Two of “Sky Bridge” Launched to Transport Medical Supplies by Drones to Al Hallaniyat Islands

Date Published: 02 September 2026

The second phase of the “Sky Bridge” initiative was launched today in Dhofar Governorate to transport medical supplies and equipment to Al Hallaniyat Islands using drones, as part of the Gulf Green Mobility Forum organised by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology. The initiative is being implemented under the supervision and follow-up of the Civil Aviation Authority, which also issues the necessary permits, represented by the Air Navigation Department at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation in Dhofar Governorate and the Aviation Safety Department at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation Regulation.

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The launch of the initiative was held under the patronage of H.H. Sayyid Marwan bin Turki Al Said, Governor of Dhofar, in the presence of a number of officials and representatives of government and security entities and private-sector institutions in the Governorate. The mission is being carried out using the “Sahm” drone, which carries approximately 150 kilograms of medical supplies and equipment and travels from Salalah to Al Hallaniyat Islands at a speed exceeding 120 kilometres per hour and at an altitude of up to 2,000 metres. The initiative aims to test and apply drone-based air cargo technologies and explore their potential for transporting supplies to remote areas, contributing to enhancing the efficiency of transport and logistics systems and addressing challenges associated with distance and geographical conditions.

Fully Operated by Omani Expertise

The mission is being carried out entirely by the Ibn Firnas Drone Centre through an Omani team responsible for the various stages of the operation, from planning, preparation and payload handling to operating the drone, monitoring the flight, implementing safety procedures and managing operations. The team underwent specialised training and qualification programmes in operating drones designed for air cargo, covering navigation, payload management, handling aviation systems, safety procedures and emergency response. Operating the mission with national expertise reflects the drive to build Omani capabilities in drone and air cargo technologies and enhance the readiness of national personnel to operate advanced air transport systems.

Applications in the Medical and Logistics Sectors

The second phase of the “Sky Bridge” initiative serves as a practical trial for using drones to transport supplies and assess their potential to support medical and logistics services, respond to emergencies and serve areas that are difficult to reach using conventional means of transport. The trial also contributes to testing an integrated drone-based air cargo system encompassing operations, navigation, payload management and safety, providing practical indicators on the potential for expanding the use of these technologies across various sectors. The initiative forms part of the Gulf Green Mobility Forum, which showcases modern technologies and solutions in the transport sector, including advanced air mobility technologies and ways of utilising them to develop more efficient and sustainable transport systems. The initiative is aligned with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040 in supporting innovation, localising modern technologies and developing national capabilities in knowledge- and technology-based sectors.