Amazon's Drone Delivery Service to Launch in Darlington, UK

Amazon is taking a big step towards making drone deliveries a reality in the UK, with plans to launch its Prime Air service in Darlington. The company, which has been testing drone deliveries in the US since 2022, announced that its fulfilment centre on the outskirts of Darlington will be the first location in the UK to see parcels delivered by autonomous drones. The goal is for drones to make same-day deliveries in 30 minutes or less, providing a faster alternative to traditional delivery methods.

The plans are still in the early stages, with Amazon now seeking clearance from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to use the airspace for these deliveries. The company is also submitting a planning application for a new facility at its Darlington site where drones will take off and land. "We are ready and excited to make drone delivery a reality for our UK customers," Amazon stated, noting that while there is still much work to do, this marks an exciting step forward.

Amazon’s Prime Air service already operates in select locations in the US, where drones deliver small items within an hour. These drones are designed to navigate around obstacles and drop packages safely at customers' locations. The company has also conducted trials in the UK, including a successful autonomous delivery in Cambridgeshire in 2016, but this will be the first time drone deliveries are rolled out on a larger scale in the country.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, who has worked tirelessly for 18 months to bring the project to Teesside, expressed his enthusiasm. He highlighted the significant economic benefits the project could bring, including job creation and investment in the local economy. "We are grabbing the opportunities and the optimism of the tech revolution – so it's no surprise that Amazon has chosen Darlington as the location to launch Prime Air in the UK," Houchen said. 

What are the next steps in launching Prime Air?

While the project is moving forward, there are still challenges ahead. Amazon must secure the necessary regulatory approvals and finalize its plans for drone operations in Darlington. The CAA is working with several organizations, including Amazon, to create a framework for commercial drone deliveries, especially flights beyond the visual line of sight. The CAA has already selected Amazon as one of six companies to participate in trials to expand drone usage in the UK.

Once approvals are in place, Amazon plans to begin hiring staff to launch the service and has promised to keep the local community involved. The company will hold a community event next month to answer questions and gather feedback from residents about the new service.

Amazon’s drone initiative is expected to boost local infrastructure and innovation, with Amazon working closely with Teesside International Airport for support. The airport’s air traffic control team has provided guidance on integrating drone operations with existing air traffic. 

This project could potentially serve as a model for other regions in the UK, paving the way for widespread adoption of drone delivery services. However, it will depend on the successful integration of drones into UK airspace and the development of safety protocols for commercial drone flights. Amazon is optimistic, stating that it has already built safe and reliable drone services in other countries, and aims to replicate that success in the UK.

Residents of Darlington are encouraged to get involved and provide feedback on the plans, which could change how deliveries are made in the UK. The project is a significant milestone in Amazon’s global drone delivery strategy, and if successful, could lead to expanded operations across the UK in the coming years.