Amazon has announced that by the end of 2024, its Prime Air drone delivery service will extend to Italy, the United Kingdom, and an additional city in the United States. While specific cities for these new locations are yet to be disclosed, this expansion follows nearly a year of successful drone operations in the U.S., where the drones have been delivering packages weighing up to five pounds in under an hour.
New MK30 Drone Unveiled
As part of the expansion, Amazon is also introducing the MK30 drone, a new model that is lighter, smaller, and quieter than its predecessors. The MK30’s cutting-edge design enables it to fly twice as far as earlier models, thereby expanding the delivery radius. The drone’s advanced design features also allow for operation under more varied weather conditions, such as light rain, and extreme temperatures. Notably, the MK30 is equipped with a unique package delivery system that keeps packages securely held within the drone during transit.
Integration into Existing Amazon Network
Going forward, Amazon’s Prime Air drones will no longer exclusively operate from stand-alone delivery centers. Instead, the drones will be deployed from some of Amazon’s Same-Day Delivery locations. These smaller fulfillment stations process and ship out orders on the day of purchase and are well-suited to the types of items typically delivered by drones, such as quick-need items like cold medicines and batteries. In Italy and the UK, the drones will also begin to operate out of some of Amazon’s main fulfillment centers, thus offering customers a broader selection of items that can be delivered at faster speeds.
Regulatory Compliance and Safety Measures
Amazon is actively working with regulatory bodies in the United States, Italy, the UK, and the European Union to ensure the drone delivery program meets all safety and operational requirements. The company has emphasized its commitment to investing time and resources into making the service both safe and scalable. Amazon has also taken measures to exceed existing safety standards within the commercial drone delivery sector.
Availability and Future Steps
Once the service becomes operational in the new locations, eligible customers will be able to opt into drone delivery and choose from a wide range of items weighing five pounds or less. This includes a variety of products such as household essentials, beauty items, and tech and office supplies.
Amazon has its sights set on continuously evolving its drone technology to make millions of deliveries annually. The company aims to build increasing levels of customer confidence with each successful drone delivery.
Global Regulatory Support
Regulatory bodies and government officials have expressed positive views on Amazon’s drone delivery expansion. Pierluigi Di Palma, President of Italy’s National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC), mentioned that Italy’s proactive stance on aviation innovation aligns with Amazon’s drone delivery project. Pasqualino Monti, CEO of the Italian Air Navigation Service Provider (ENAV), emphasized the strategic importance of such projects for economic growth. Frederic Laugere, Head of Innovation Advisory Services at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, and Aviation Minister Baroness Vere also noted the significance of safe and equitable drone operations for the future.
As the technology evolves and regulatory approvals come in, Amazon plans to expand its drone delivery services to new cities, countries, and continents, promising more details in the upcoming months.
Featured Image via Amazon
