Amazon expands Prime Air drone delivery to 500 US locations and Australia

Amazon is significantly expanding its Prime Air drone delivery service. By the end of 2026, the company aims to extend its coverage to nearly 500 cities and locations across the United States, a sixfold increase from its current eleven active hubs. New operational areas are expected to include Chicago, Syracuse, Cleveland, Atlanta, and Boise.

Currently, the service delivers packages weighing up to 5 lbs that fit within a large shoebox, with most deliveries arriving within one hour. The system operates under FAA approval and utilizes obstacle detection and avoidance technology. Amazon recently opened a new hub in North Randall, Ohio, which is expected to create 55 jobs.

Beyond the United States, Amazon is signaling an international expansion into the Asia-Pacific region. The company has posted a job opening for a ‘Head of Regulatory Approvals, Australia’ to manage permissions from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and Airservices Australia. This move positions Amazon to compete with Alphabet-owned Wing, which has been conducting drone deliveries in Australia since 2019.