GLASGOW Airport is to work on a "revolutionary" trial of using drones to deliver medical supplies across Scotland.

The hub's owners will work with 14 organisations across the country and secured £1.5million in UK Government funding to demonstration how the technology could improve access to medical supplies, particularly in rural areas.

Development started in early December and is set to involve live drone flight trials. Critical aspects such as public safety, security and noise levels will be considered, however, no potential flight path has been outlined.

Trials are scheduled to run until spring 2022 with hopes of creating a drone delivery network with the potential to connect hospitals, laboratories, and GP surgeries across Scotland.

Derek Provan, chief executive of Glasgow Airport owners AGS Airports, said: “This project has the potential to completely revolutionise the way in which healthcare services are delivered in Scotland.

"Not only does drone technology have the ability to speed-up the delivery of critical medical supplies, it could reduce waiting times for test results and, more importantly, help provide equity of care between urban and remote rural communities."

He added that while healthcare is the main focus at the moment, the venture could have environmental benefits in the future by lowering road-based carbon emissions in Scotland.

The University of Strathclyde will also be involved in this program alongside some of the country’s most skilled and experienced groups in drone technology.

Professor Sir Jim McDonald, principal and vice-chancellor of the university, said: “Strathclyde is a founding member of the UK Aviation Research Consortium and we are delighted to play a central role in this exciting project, applying our expertise from across multiple disciplines.

“The project aligns with our health technologies research cluster and our long track record of working with industry and the public sector. We look forward to demonstrating the potential value of drone delivery of medical supplies for the public, NHS, the economy, social equality and for the aviation manufacturing industry in Scotland.”

The Scottish Government’s economy secretary, Fiona Hyslop, said that the project will do wonders for the country.

She said: “This innovative project will help position Scotland at the forefront of drone technologies to deliver essential healthcare supplies to people more quickly, especially those living remote locations. It also demonstrates, once again, that when businesses, universities and public sector work together they can deliver for Scotland and outperform the competition.”