Cross-border medical logistics via drones: Concept Paper on Technical and Legal Considerations

Medical logistics are increasingly challenged by time-critical delivery requirements, limited availability of essential medical supplies, and a strong dependence on conventional ground-based transport infrastructure. These vulnerabilities become particularly evident in crisis situations such as natural disasters, pandemics, or large-scale emergencies, when infrastructural damage, congestion, or border-related constraints can significantly delay the delivery of vital goods. Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and drone-based transport systems offer a promising and resilient alternative. This potential is especially pronounced in cross-border regions such as the Meuse-Rhine region, where healthcare institutions in neighboring countries are located in close geographical proximity. A cross-border AAM network for the transport of medical goods can strengthen regional healthcare resilience and disaster preparedness.<br/><br/>Against this backdrop, the project EDEN-Medical was initiated to facilitate cross-border cooperation between hospitals and relevant stakeholders in the region and identify barriers and regulatory gaps that currently stand in the way of transporting medical goods across borders via drone technology.