Amazon UK: drone delivery service planned in Darlington
Amazon delivery drones are soon to take to the skies in the UK. The site has been found in Darlington, but permits are still pending.
An Amazon delivery drone drops off a parcel.
(Image: Amazon)
Amazon's plans to expand its drone delivery service to the UK are taking shape. A flight operations facility is to be built at the fulfillment center in Darlington, from which the MK30 delivery drones will take off and deliver goods to customers. This was announced by Amazon on Monday. However, the permits for the construction of the facility and the start of flight operations still have to be applied for and approved.
The planning application for the construction of a flight operations facility in Darlington in County Durham in the north-west of England is to be submitted to the relevant local authorities as soon as possible. At the same time, Amazon intends to obtain a permit for drone flights in airspace from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the country's civil aviation authority. Once both approvals have been obtained, Amazon Prime Air intends to start recruiting team members to enable test flights and deliveries of goods.
Amazon intends to work closely with the CAA. The first step is to create the regulatory framework that will enable commercial drone deliveries in the country. Amazon also wants to work with the municipality of Darlington to clarify any questions about the project in advance of drone delivery operations. The company also wants to obtain feedback from residents to consider and address any concerns they may have in advance.
Exact start of the service uncertain
Amazon is not giving an exact time frame for the start of delivery operations. The online retailer had originally planned to launch the drone delivery service in the UK and Italy by the end of 2024. This was also successful in Italy. The first Amazon drones took off for test flights there in December 2024.
MK30 drones, which are already being tested at locations in the USA, are to be used in Darlington. However, Amazon currently has temporarily suspended their use in the West Valley Phoenix Metro Area in Arizona and College Station in Texas because two drones crashed in rainy weather. A collision had previously occurred during test flights. According to Amazon, the drones will receive an update before they are cleared to fly again by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
According to Amazon, it has already delivered thousands of parcels to customers in the USA using delivery drones. Orders for goods can be placed via the Amazon app or the Amazon website. Parcels weighing up to 2.3 kg are then delivered within the fulfillment center's catchment area within 60 minutes.
(olb)
