SHENZHEN Bao’an International Airport has partnered with China’s on-demand delivery giant Meituan to introduce an in-terminal autonomous food delivery service at its Satellite Concourse, making it the first airport in the country to offer gate-to-gate deliveries by robots.

Passengers can order meals from participating merchants in the Satellite Concourse through Meituan’s app and have them delivered to their designated boarding gates by Meituan’s self-developed autonomous delivery robot. The service aims to spare travelers the need to dash to restaurants before boarding.

An airport spokesperson said 11 chain brands have already joined the system, including Starbucks, KFC, HEYTEA, 7-Eleven, Burger King, and BESTORE. More merchants are expected to join.

“I wanted a cup of HEYTEA, but the outlet is on the far side of the hall. Walking there and back would be tiring and risky for boarding,” said Ms. Liu, a passenger who tried the service. “I ordered on Meituan, sat near my gate, and the cute little robot arrived, announcing ‘Your delivery is here!’ It was a lovely surprise.”

A Meituan manager said the launch sets a benchmark for cooperation between the platform and transport hubs nationwide. “We will keep expanding our on-demand ecosystem so users can enjoy seamless life services whether at home, in the office, or on the move,” the manager added.

The trial at the Shenzhen airport represents Meituan’s first expansion into an airport and the debut of the company’s latest delivery robot in a major transport hub. (Han Ximin)