Keeta Drone by Meituan: status and timeline

Keeta Drone

Build a network of autonomous drones for last-mile delivery that is faster and more cost-effective than human couriers in urban zones.

DeployStage 4 of 5

Operating 53 routes in China; 400,000+ deliveries. Dubai license Dec 2024; Shanghai expansion Sept 2026.

Updated Sep 2026Checked 11 Oct0 updates this week

Milestones

Next · Regulatory approval for broader urban airspace in China

Keeta Drone license obtained for Dubai BVLOS commercial operationsDec 2024Complete.
Shanghai West Bund network launch with McDonald's dedicated routeSep 2026Complete.

Most important updates

Upcoming

2027Regulatory approval for broader urban airspace in China (next)

Current obstacles

Regulatory expansion in urban zonesCurrent operations are in designated zones with government approval; wider citywide deployment requires formal airspace integration and public-safety sign-off.
Weather and air-traffic conflictsScaling to thousands of concurrent flights requires real-time deconfliction with manned aircraft, helicopters, and weather.

Physics limits

Battery chemistry limits range and payloadCurrent batteries (lithium-ion ~250 Wh/kg) restrict drones to ~3 km range at modest weight; heavier payloads or longer routes are uneconomical.
Wind and weather restrict operationsUrban drones cannot fly safely in high wind or heavy precipitation, limiting year-round availability in some cities.

How it works

3 parts

Hub-and-spoke

Fixed distribution points

Keeta operates from fixed hubs (dark kitchens, distribution centers) where drones pick up parcels and fly to nearby delivery points.

Autonomous navigation

Scheduled routes

Drones follow pre-planned flight paths and airspace slots, managed centrally to avoid conflicts with other aircraft and airspace users.

Operational integration

Meituan logistics platform

Keeta integrates into Meituan's existing order and logistics systems, dispatching drones for food and package delivery alongside human couriers.

Spec sheet

Spec	Keeta Drone
Active delivery routes in China	53^R (reported)
Cumulative deliveries (by December 2024)	400,000+^R (reported)
Typical delivery time	5 minutes^R (reported)
Typical delivery range	1-3 km^R (reported)

^R reported by the company

Update log

2 updates

Sep 2026

Minor: Meituan launches Shanghai West Bund Keeta Drone network with first McDonald's dedicated delivery routePressCommercial

Dec 2024

Major: Meituan Keeta obtains Dubai commercial drone delivery license; 400,000+ deliveries completed in ChinaPressCommercial

About Meituan

The team behind Keeta Drone

Meituan

Food delivery, drones, logistics, China

Meituan is a Chinese technology platform for food delivery, travel, and local services. Keeta Drone operates autonomous delivery routes across China with 400,000+ completed deliveries as of December 2024, and obtained commercial drone delivery licensing in Dubai in December 2024.

Keeta operates 53 routes across Chinese cities with 400,000+ cumulative deliveries.
Typical delivery: 5 minutes over 1–3 km distances, faster than courier.
Dubai BVLOS license obtained December 2024; Shanghai West Bund launch September 2026.

meituan.com (opens meituan.com)Company profile →

Founded: 201016 yrs
Headquarters: China
Status: Public
Valuation: $47Best. market capSep 2026estimate
Staff: ~110,000
Works in: AviationDelivery drones
Coverage: 1 program · 2 updateslatest 1 Sep 2026checked 11 Oct
Customers: McDonald's
Partners: Dubai Civil Aviation Authority
People: Wang XingFounder & CEO

Spec

Keeta Drone

Active delivery routes in China

53^R (reported)

Cumulative deliveries (by December 2024)

400,000+^R (reported)

Typical delivery time

5 minutes^R (reported)

Typical delivery range

1-3 km^R (reported)