The Griffin project, which involves transporting medical samples across the country by drone, is making progress. It is even in its “last stretch,” according to mobility minister (DP). In fact, , the project sponsors have already taken a number of steps forward, including Luxembourg Air Ambulance which is acting as project manager. The latter has obtained the certification to operate commercial drones. Its staff have also been trained by the Swiss manufacturer Rigitech, which supplies the Eiger drone. As planned in the project, they are equipped and certified to use drones to transport medical samples, notably between the Robert Schuman Hospitals’ Kirchberg site and the Laboratoires Réunis analysis laboratory in Junglinster. Both players are involved, as are Post Luxembourg and Santé Services.
Although “no authorisation has yet been issued by the Directorate of Civil Aviation (DAC) for the use of these drones in Luxembourg,” the minister said in a parliamentary reply, the project “is in the home stretch.” “The frequent and intense exchanges between the operator Luxembourg Air Rescue (LAR), the ANA and the Directorate of Civil Aviation (DAC) have enabled us to make considerable progress on this project in order to reduce as much as possible the delay, which in this case of sophisticated activity can be several weeks.” But she believes it is still too early to give a concrete date for the issue of the authorisation.
The Eiger UAV was delivered to Luxembourg Air Ambulance in the spring. It will be operated at an altitude of 80 to 120 metres, reaching speeds of over 100km/h and carrying a payload of up to 3kg. It is equipped with advanced sensors for high-precision navigation and landing.
“The test phase for drone flights began on 18 July. As regards the use of the drone for transporting medical samples, certain authorisations are still awaited from the authorities,” confirmed the team from Luxembourg Air Rescue, which is also involved in the project with Luxembourg Air Ambulance.
Among the authorisations still pending is that for ‘out-of-sight’ operations (BVLOS), which is based on an assessment of operational risk. This risk assessment is based on a methodology known as Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA), which deals with risks in the air and on the ground,” explained Backes in a parliamentary reply to MP Octavie Modert (CSV). Several criteria are taken into account, such as flight times, restrictions on overflying rural areas, the use of safety equipment, etc.
“For reasons of air safety linked to the drone’s route, it has been mutually agreed to set specific days and slots for this type of operation, which will be accompanied by restrictions on the use of air circuits,” said the minister, who also signed on 13 August creating a “temporary UAS” geographical area for the Griffin project.
The introduction of drones could… improve the speed of diagnosis and ensure a more equitable distribution of medical resources across the country.
“Thus, if all the legal and regulatory conditions are met, subject to analysis of any adaptations that need to be made to the existing legal framework, the introduction of drones into the logistics of delivering medical samples could constitute an alternative means of transport, making it possible, where appropriate, to improve the speed of diagnosis and ensure a more equitable distribution of medical resources across the country,” said the minister.
But Luxembourg is not the first country to launch such a project. In Africa, several countries are already using such a system, including Rwanda and Ghana. In Tanzania, a partnership with DHL and others uses drones to transport medicines and medical supplies to isolated regions. Like Luxembourg, but on a national scale, Scotland has also launched its Caelus programme. Swiss Post had also set up a similar network, which was suspended in 2019 due to an accident.
This article was originally published in .