There has long been talk of the potential use of drones for the so-called last mile business in product deliveries. This is already a reality for the United States, albeit with strict limitations. But this is starting to change. 

In early April, New Zealand's aviation authority authorized U.S.-based SkyDrop to operate a drone distribution center in Huntly, a small town south of Auckland, allowing flights over populated areas and beyond the drone operator's visual range.

The New Zealand experience could be the preamble for similar authorizations in Europe, Canada and Australia, which have aerial vehicle certification systems similar to New Zealand's, experts say. SkyDrop has an agreement with Domino's Pizza for distribution in New Zealand. The company's drones can carry packages weighing up to 3.6 kilograms over a range of 5 kilometers.