DoorDash is introducing its own drone delivery operation, positioning the firm as a rival to some aerial providers it currently works with on deliveries.

The company announced on Wednesday that it secured Part 135 air carrier approval from the Federal Aviation Administration. This clearance permits DoorDash to run its own commercial drone service, making it the eighth such operator in the United States to gain the certification.

The new offering, branded DoorDash Air, is slated to begin commercial operations in fall 2026, according to a company representative.

"We are constructing the complete system required, including ground facilities, the aircraft, and transfer mechanisms that integrate smoothly," noted Harrison Shih, who leads DoorDash Air, in a prepared statement.

Development occurs via DoorDash Labs, the internal robotics group that created the ground robot Dot. The firm is also assembling routing protocols, safety measures, upkeep procedures, and merchant transfer processes to support the service.

DoorDash already has experience with drone deliveries through outside partners such as Alphabet's Wing and Flytrex. The company reports completing tens of thousands of such deliveries via these collaborations.

A representative confirmed that the Wing and Flytrex arrangements continue, with a recent expansion of the Wing effort into metro Atlanta during April.

DoorDash Air will let the company fly its own aircraft on the shared delivery network alongside partners. The representative emphasized a desire for additional operators rather than fewer, framing the new drones as an extra choice to bolster the overall system.

The company avoided a direct response on whether its drones might eventually take over routes from partners.

"We look forward to ongoing collaboration with our drone partners," the representative stated. "DoorDash Air provides one more delivery method, and multiple drone choices help build reliability while expanding opportunities for local businesses rather than dividing them."

DoorDash indicated that its Autonomous Delivery Platform will serve as the coordinator, selecting among drivers, drones, Dot, and other modes based on speed, expense, location, and customer experience.

The representative noted that DoorDash Air may cut delays on orders covering 3 to 5 miles, which currently take nearly 25 percent longer than shorter trips due to the extra time spent locating a Dasher and covering distance.