NEW YORK (PIX11)  — Test flights of drones carrying cargo will be conducted across the East River, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced on Thursday.

The test flights will begin on April 27 and continue for 12 months between Downtown Skyport, more commonly known as the Wall Street Heliport, and Brooklyn Marine Terminal on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

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The Port Authority is partnering with Skyports Drone Services to provide the service.

A Skyports drone will fly lightweight medical items for a New York City nonprofit health system, and assess if the service improves patient care. The items flown will be non-hazardous, non-sensitive and non-biological, according to officials.

“More than 75 years ago, the Port Authority revolutionized how the entire world moves goods for commerce with the invention of containerized shipping at Port Newark,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’toole. “Now we are laying the groundwork for the next generation of cargo delivery in this region.”

As the drones will be flying from the Wall Street Heliport, Skyports will comply with regulations from the Federal Aviation Administration, city and maritime agencies.

The upcoming trial run follows test flights conducted over a two-week period in January 2026. During that test run, the drone flew 135 times and carried a total of 252 pounds of dummy cargo between Manhattan and Brooklyn. Even during periods of bad weather, 96 percent of the expected flights were completed.

“As the operator of this region’s network of airports, we are building on our experience and relationships to make drone cargo delivery a reality so that the entire region can benefit from fewer delivery vehicles on congested city streets and fewer emissions in the air we all breathe,” said Port Authority Executive Director Kathryn Garcia

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Prior to the start of the test flights, the NYC Economic Development Corporation, Skyports and the Port Authority reached out to the public, elected officials and maritime companies to address concerns of the test flights.

The public can continue to share their concerns by calling 311 or online.

Andrew Cruz is a digital content producer. A native New Yorker, he joined PIX11 in 2009 as a weather producer. More of his work can be found here.

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