Amazon eyes Australian drone delivery expansion

Amazon is preparing to launch its Prime Air drone delivery service in Australia, according to recent job advertisements. The company is recruiting a Head of Regulatory Approvals, based in Sydney or Canberra, to manage certifications, flight permissions, and airspace access in coordination with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and Airservices Australia.

The goal of the service is to deliver eligible packages to customers in 30 minutes or less. While Amazon already operates Prime Air in the United States, experts suggest that a successful rollout in Australian urban areas may take years due to significant regulatory and technical hurdles.

Challenges identified from existing US operations include noise complaints, privacy concerns regarding onboard cameras and sensors, and technical issues such as drones colliding with buildings. Regulatory requirements in Australia will likely involve aviation, planning, and federal noise approvals, as well as specific CASA permissions for flights beyond a pilot’s visual line of sight.