The Government of Catalonia will launch the first drone-based medical transport corridor in Spain between Lleida and Tremp starting this summer

Catalonia will launch a regular drone-based medical transport service starting this summer between Pallars Regional Hospital in Tremp and the Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital in Lleida. The project is led by the Department of the Presidency, through the Centre for Telecommunications and Information Technologies (CTTI), and the Department of Health, through the TIC Salut i Social Foundation. Its aim is to improve response times and territorial equity in the delivery of blood bags, other biological samples, medicines and small medical supplies to rural and mountain areas.

The future corridor was announced today at Pallars Regional Hospital in Tremp during the event presenting the report “Integration of drones into the Health System: key areas for territorial deployment”, prepared by the TIC Salut i Social Foundation at the request of the Department of Health. After analysing the feasibility of integrating this technology into the logistics operations of public hospitals in the Catalan Health System (SISCAT), the report identified ten strategic areas with 15 hospitals where the deployment of healthcare logistics routes is considered feasible in the short and medium term. These include the health regions of Lleida and Alt Pirineu i Aran, where this first route will be deployed. Work is also underway to open two additional routes connecting the towns of Tremp, Sort and Vielha and their healthcare facilities, including hospitals and primary care centres.

The project involves the participation of the Blood and Tissue Bank (Banc de Sang i Teixits) for the validation of blood component transport, T-Systems as technological partner and Pirineos Drone as the drone flight operator.

First flights between Lleida and Tremp

The aerial corridor project between Lleida and Tremp has already completed its initial technical and safety phase. The project is currently undergoing the advanced authorisation process with the Spanish Aviation Safety Agency (AESA), which will allow the opening of regular autonomous flight routes with full guarantees.

Once the authorisation is obtained, expected from this summer onwards, the first drone flights will begin, lasting between 40 and 45 minutes compared with approximately 75 minutes for the conventional road route. The regular service will also allow unscheduled flights and on-demand requests.

In addition to the imminent Lleida–Tremp route, the Alt Pirineu i Aran Health Region is studying the creation of new drone corridors to transport biological samples, medicines and healthcare equipment between Tremp, Sort and Vielha. With the activation of these corridors, Catalonia will consolidate its position as a benchmark case and set a precedent across Spain in the integration of logistics drones within healthcare services, with a scalable model that can be replicated in other territories and services.

Previous experiences with drones in healthcare

Since 2023, the Government of Catalonia has evaluated the potential of drones to transform healthcare logistics through two pilot tests in the Garrotxa area and in the North Metropolitan Health Region. The results confirmed the technical and clinical feasibility of the model, with transport times reduced by more than 70% and a 98% reduction in CO₂ emissions.

An improvement in the clinical quality of samples was also observed. In Garrotxa, a reduction of around 50% in sample degradation (haemolysis, which causes the destruction of red blood cells in blood samples) was detected. In the metropolitan area, samples arrived in optimal condition, unaffected by road irregularities.

Innovation to improve people’s lives

This project aligns with the objectives of the Government’s administrative reform aimed at advancing towards more agile, digital, efficient and citizen-focused public services. It also supports the promotion of innovation and digital transformation to improve people’s quality of life.

The initiative is also an example of the GovTech Catalunya Programme, which promotes collaboration between the public administration and the technology ecosystem to address complex public challenges with useful, well-governed and results-oriented technology.

Source: Government of Catalonia