Amazon Expands Prime Air Drone Delivery Service to Italy, UK, and the US
(Image Source: Amazon)
In a groundbreaking development, Amazon is set to introduce its high-speed drone delivery service, Prime Air, to customers in Italy, the UK, and a third undisclosed location in the United States. This expansion is scheduled to commence in late 2024, marking a significant milestone for the e-commerce giant's innovative delivery system.
Amazon's Prime Air drone delivery service has been operational in the United States for nearly a year, enabling the safe and efficient delivery of packages weighing up to five pounds in under an hour. The international expansion to Italy and the UK, along with the addition of a third U.S. city, demonstrates Amazon's commitment to enhancing customer convenience and delivery speed.
To support this expansion, Amazon is introducing the new MK30 drone design, which boasts improved features such as reduced noise, a more compact form factor, and lighter weight compared to its predecessors. These enhancements will enable the drones to operate more quietly and efficiently, even in diverse weather conditions, such as light rain and extreme temperatures.
Moreover, Amazon is taking a step further by integrating drone deliveries into its extensive delivery network, allowing the drones to deploy from same-day delivery sites in the United States. In Italy and the UK, Amazon will gradually integrate drone deliveries into some of its fulfillment centers, ensuring faster and more extensive access to a wider range of products for customers.
“The future has arrived in Italy. Being chosen by a global player such as Amazon is further confirmation of the strategy pursued by ENAC (the National Civil Aviation Authority), to push for innovation of advanced air mobility in the aviation industry, creating a national ecosystem favorable to the safe development of new services. Italy's experience will be an inspiration and support for safe operations in the rest of Europe," said Pierluigi Di Palma, President of ENAC.
Amazon has worked closely with regulators and governments worldwide to facilitate the expansion of its drone delivery program. Regulatory bodies and industry experts have expressed support for these initiatives, emphasizing the importance of innovation and safety in the ever-evolving drone delivery landscape.
“Exploring the options of how drones can be safely and successfully incorporated into more of the UK’s airspace is key. It is vital that projects such as this take place to feed into the overall knowledge and experiences that will soon enable drones to be operating beyond the line of sight of their pilot on a day-to-day basis, while also still allowing safe and equitable use of the air by other users," said Frederic Laugere, Head of Innovation Advisory Services at the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
Source: Amazon is launching ultra-fast drone deliveries in Italy, the UK, and a third location in the U.S.
