Evaluation of factors affecting air cargo transportation with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in Türki̇ye

In recent years, the increasing volume of e-commerce, shifts in consumer expectations, and growing demand for fast delivery have brought Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to the forefront as an alternative mode of last-mile delivery in the air cargo transportation sector. However, the effective and efficient utilization of this technology requires a comprehensive analysis of various structural, technical, and managerial factors. The aim of this study is to identify the factors influencing UAV-based air cargo transportation in Türkiye and to determine the relative importance of these factors. To collect data, a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) survey was administered via Google Forms to sector experts working in the air cargo industry, employees of companies specialized in UAV technologies, and academics. The data obtained from the survey were analyzed using the Best Worst Method (BWM), one of the subjective weighting techniques within MCDM approaches. According to the analysis results, technological factors, infrastructure and physical requirements, and legislation and regulations were identified as the most critical main criteria in the context of UAV-based air cargo transportation in Türkiye. These findings indicate that for UAV technology to be successfully integrated and effectively utilized in the Turkish air cargo sector, policymakers need to develop and implement strategies and policies aimed at meeting technological and infrastructural requirements.