Amazon preparing for initial U.K. drone deliveries
Amazon is getting closer to takeoff for Prime Air drone delivery flights in the U.K.
The e-tail giant, which has been offering drone deliveries of orders in select U.S. markets since 2022, is taking steps to start planning for initial flights from its fulfillment center in the U.K. city of Darlington.
Amazon will be lodging a planning application with the local authority to seek permission to build its drone flight operations facilities at the site. The company will also apply for authorization from the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to fly drones in the airspace.
Amazon has been taking part in trials conducted by CAA to test drone use in deliveries, inspections of infrastructure, emergency services, and flights to remote locations since summer 2024.
The company previously tested drone delivery in the U.K. in 2016, but never moved beyond pilot stage in that project. Amazon is also currently testing drone deliveries in Italy.
Once those agreements with Darlington authorities and the CAA are in place, Amazon says it will begin hiring employees to launch drone delivery. And once the service is live, customers within the Darlington service area will be able to order items for drone-based fulfillment directly from the Amazon U.K. app or website.
"We’ll continue to work closely with the CAA as they develop the regulatory framework to make commercial drone delivery a reality in the U.K.," Amazon said in a corporate blog post. "In the meantime, we will also engage with the Darlington community to answer questions and collect feedback as we seek to offer this new delivery option."
This development comes as Amazon has been utilizing its new MK30 drone to enable consumers living near its fulfillment center in Tolleson, Ariz. who purchase an eligible item weighing five pounds have their purchase dropped off at designated areas near select addresses in 60 minutes or less.
[READ MORE: Amazon launches drone delivery in Phoenix]
The MK30 received FAA approval to begin operations to U.S. customers in October 2024. The approval included the ability to fly beyond visual line of sight, using Prime Air's on-board detect and avoid system, from the first day of operation at a new location.
Amazon has set a goal of having drones deliver 500 million packages globally by the end of the decade.
