Amazon seeks to expand drone deliveries across Darlington

Amazon is seeking approval from the Civil Aviation Authority to expand its Prime Air drone delivery service across the entirety of Darlington, UK. The company describes itself as being “on the precipice” of receiving this permission, which could eventually lead to a nationwide rollout in the United Kingdom.

Since launching the service in Darlington in February—marking the first expansion of Prime Air outside the United States—Amazon has completed more than 500 drone flights and deliveries. Currently, the service is limited to customers within a 7.5-mile radius of the Darlington test center. Eligible orders must weigh less than 5lb, fit within a large shoebox, and be deliverable to a suitable garden, yard, or driveway.

David Carbon, vice-president of Prime Air, noted that the service aims to increase delivery speed and reduce road congestion. While drone delivery is currently included in Amazon Prime memberships at no extra cost, the company is evaluating how pricing will work as the service expands. A previous investigation was conducted following a drone crash in a Darlington garden, which the company attributed to contact with an object extending from a moving vehicle.