The Greek Postal Services, in collaboration with the first cargo drone company from Bulgaria, Dronamics, are considering the joint potential of utilizing cargo drones for the transportation of mail and parcels to remote and underserved areas not adequately covered by conventional air transport.
You had first read about this particular company and its plans for the Greek market on BnB Daily on 11/09.
The CEO of ELTA, Grigoris Sklekas, described it as a strategic alliance while speaking to BnB Daily. He stated, "The positive aspect is that the legal framework already exists in Greece, and the memorandum of cooperation we have signed with Dronamics brings mutual benefit and immediacy to deliveries for both companies." He explained that they are in the process of specifying the cargo. It is worth noting that the company's drones can transport cargo weighing approximately 350 kilograms, covering a distance of 2,500 kilometers, with their wingspan reaching up to 16 meters.
This is the first company to receive the relevant license from the European Union for cargo transportation with drones. As we learn, in October, they signed a collaboration agreement with the United Arab Emirates, and they are also in discussions with Saudi Arabia.
The collaboration with Dronamics is part of the structural transformation of ELTA, following the standards of international postal organizations, as the new operational plan has been in full development since July.
Specifically, it unfolds gradually over a period of 18 months across the entire spectrum of the organization's functions. The restructuring of the network was completed, involving the merger of underperforming and non-profitable branches, reducing operational costs, better staffing of branches, and maximizing the use of ELTA's real estate assets.
As Mr. Sklekas had stated in BnB Daily, the rural distribution service is being strengthened with the aim of seamless customer service. Additionally, neighborhood postal workers are equipped with digital tools so that, apart from managing postal deliveries, they can also collect cash on delivery payments via card, distribute pensions, and settle any bills on behalf of customers. As he mentioned, the software for this specific service has been completed, and the service is currently running as a pilot program in Athens. The roll-out will extend to the provinces within six months.
At the same time, the operation of 6 central stores in Glyfada, Kifisia, Peristeri, Piraeus, Thessaloniki, and Patra has been upgraded, with extended operating hours and filling staffing gaps. In November, they plan to reinforce another 8 stores in the regions (Larissa, Trikala, Kalamata, Stavroupoli Thessaloniki, Heraklion and Chania Crete, Ioannina, and Kavala). Within the next year, the goal is to expand the presence beyond the physical network, creating new service points based on the needs of each area, with franchise stores and alternative last mile networks, PUDOs, and shop-in-shop collaborations with retail spaces, as well as more points for receiving items through "ELTA PostBox".
Furthermore, ELTA is restructuring the network for forwarding, sorting, and distribution, aiming to create two strong central sorting hubs in Attica and Thessaloniki, as well as local transshipment points covering the entire country. As part of this effort, the sorting for Crete and other islands has already been transferred from the Transit centre of the city of Piraeus to the Attica Sorting Center, where the company has significantly invested in robotic sorting systems. "Our strategic goal is to emerge as a trusted and competitive international player for cross-border trade transactions, relied upon by major e-commerce businesses worldwide, such as Amazon.de and others, for whom we are the key performance partners," says Mr. Sklekas.
Asked about the company's performance for the year, Mr. Sklekas emphasized that the year is proceeding within budget. He also added that they have initiated a systematic tracking of the company's progress with monthly reports, which indicate that ELTA is operating within projections, and functionally at improved levels. "We have regained customers, streamlined structures, and we will proceed with a fleet upgrade. The upgrade of ELTA, both technologically and organizationally, allows us to make decisions that make us competitive and flexible with a strong outward orientation beyond the borders of the country. In this direction, we have already secured reduced and competitive prices for parcel delivery for individuals and businesses in Europe and other parts of the world."
