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Amazon Halts Italy Drone-Delivery Pilot, Plans EU Launch Elsewhere

The company attributes the pause to a strategic review tied to recent financial factors.

Overview

  • Italy's civil aviation authority ENAC said it received Amazon's official notice suspending the San Salvo, Abruzzo pilot and described the communication as unexpected.
  • Amazon told ENAC it will seek operator certification and begin commercial deployment in another EU member state.
  • The company said the broader Italian context does not currently meet the conditions required for its long-term objectives for the drone service.
  • Amazon reported that drone testing and deliveries continue in the United States and the United Kingdom and highlighted more than €25 billion invested in Italy with over 19,000 direct employees.
  • Despite the suspension, ENAC-linked plans for the U-Space San Salvo airspace are slated to start operations on January 1, 2026, enabling integrated crewed and uncrewed flights.