Amazon plans drone delivery trial in Darlington

Amazon has selected Darlington in Teesside, UK, for the trial of its drone delivery service, Prime Air, which aims to deliver parcels within 60 minutes. The company is in the process of submitting a planning application to build flight operations facilities at its fulfilment center and is seeking clearance from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for the drone flights. Once approvals are secured, Amazon plans to start hiring staff and engage with the local community to gather feedback. The CAA has included Amazon in a group of six organizations chosen to trial drone deliveries as part of its initiative to modernize UK airspace. Although Amazon operates drone deliveries in the US, it acknowledges significant work remains before launching in the UK, including ensuring regulatory compliance and community support. With a targeted rollout by the end of 2024, Amazon expresses optimism about making drone delivery a reality for UK customers.