Manna Air Delivery has become one of the first drone delivery companies to receive a Specific Assurance and Integrity Level (SAIL) III Operational Authorisation (OA) from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), representing one of the most advanced operational approvals currently granted for uncrewed aircraft operations in the United Kingdom, according to a Manna press release.
“The authorisation marks a significant regulatory milestone for Manna and follows a comprehensive assessment process, undertaken with regulatory support from Avtrain, designed to evaluate the safety, operational, technical and organisational capabilities required for advanced drone operations,” said the company.
Under the Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) framework, SAIL III authorisations are reserved for operations that require a high degree of regulatory scrutiny and demonstration of safety assurance. Achieving this standard requires operators to provide extensive evidence across operational, technical and organisational domains, supported by detailed risk assessments, safety cases and independent review. In 2021, Manna became the first drone delivery company in Europe to receive a Light UAS Operator Certificate (LUC) from the Irish Aviation Authority, providing the ability to self-authorise certain operations under the European regulatory framework. The company has also expanded flight activities into additional European jurisdictions, including Finland, alongside continued regulatory engagement and operational growth internationally.
The assessment process also included independent review and support from Marshall in its role as a Recognised Assessment Entity for Flightworthiness (RAE(F)), providing an additional layer of technical and operational assurance throughout the authorisation process, said the company.
In April 2026, Manna announced a USD50 million Series B funding round, bringing total funding to USD110 million, to accelerate the scaling of aerial delivery across the United States and Europe. The company plans to grow from 180 employees to more than 570, creating 400 new roles across Ireland and the US in robotics, software engineering, mechanical engineering, aviation operations, ground operations and regulatory functions.
The funding will support Manna’s expansion to 40 operational bases across the United States and Europe, building on live operations already underway in Ireland and Texas.
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(Image: Manna)