Israel Plans National Drone Infrastructure to Alleviate Traffic Congestion
Israel is facing worsening traffic congestion, prompting planners to explore innovative solutions beyond traditional methods like bike lanes and rail systems. The National Planning Administration is currently developing a national policy framework to regulate drone infrastructure, aiming to integrate advanced aerial transportation into the country’s mobility and logistics networks.
This new aerial transport system will rely on electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed for passenger flights, cargo delivery, and specialized services in medicine, emergency response, security, agriculture, and logistics. Globally, this technology is already mature, with many countries conducting commercial pilot projects and preparing dedicated infrastructure for broader deployment in the coming years.
In Israel, Cando Drones, controlled by retail chain owner Rami Levy, is advancing in this field with a valuation of about 83 million shekels. The company operates drones capable of carrying up to 250 kilograms and has completed over 1,200 deliveries, including medical supplies and blood transport between Rambam Hospital in Haifa and Nahariya Hospital.
The policy envisions creating a complementary aerial transport network to shift some cargo and service traffic from ground to air, reducing congestion and improving accessibility. Infrastructure plans include various landing sites: local Vertipads (0.8 to 1.5 dunams), urban Vertiports (2.5 to 7 dunams), and metropolitan Vertihubs (12 to 27.5 dunams), some integrated onto city rooftops. These hubs will connect with existing transport systems.
The initiative responds to increasing requests for drone landing site approvals and aims to provide planners with uniform guidelines. Rafi Almaliah, CEO of the Planning Administration, emphasized the need to prepare for this transportation revolution to ensure safe and efficient integration. Cando Drones CEO Yoeli Or highlighted Israel’s national opportunity to develop airspace as a new transport dimension, noting that technological capability exists and regulatory and planning support is now essential. Collaborations with the Civil Aviation Authority and Netivei Ayalon have already identified dozens of potential flight routes, moving the vision closer to reality.
