Amazon expands drone delivery service to 500 cities

Amazon is significantly expanding its Prime Air drone delivery service, aiming to reach approximately 500 cities in the United States by the end of 2026. The service is currently operational in 14 U.S. cities.

Supervised by chief engineer Hang Nguyen-Grove, the drones are designed to deliver packages weighing less than five pounds, a category that accounts for roughly 60% of items ordered on the platform. Common deliveries include baby formula and over-the-counter medications. To ensure safety, each flight undergoes a rigorous meteorological analysis 75 minutes before takeoff to account for wind and rain.

This logistical expansion occurs alongside workforce reductions within the company. Amazon recently conducted a second round of layoffs this month, affecting up to 250 roles in its devices and services unit. These cuts follow a previous reduction of 1,000 jobs in the core retail division, which a spokesperson stated were intended to improve operational efficiency and align with the company's product roadmap.