Amazon Selects Darlington for First UK Drone Delivery Hub
The tech giant plans to launch drone deliveries in the UK, pending regulatory approval and community engagement in Darlington.
- Amazon has announced Darlington in north-east England as the hub for its first UK drone delivery service, subject to approval from regulators and local authorities.
- The service, called Prime Air, aims to deliver packages up to 2.3kg within a 7.5-mile radius of Amazon's local fulfillment center, promising delivery times as short as 30 minutes.
- Amazon must secure permissions from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Darlington's local council before beginning operations, with planning applications and public consultations underway.
- The company has faced setbacks globally, including crashes during test flights in the US, but says its updated MK30 drones are designed to handle adverse weather conditions like rain.
- Prime Air has previously launched in limited locations in the US and Italy, and Amazon emphasizes its commitment to working with regulators and engaging with the Darlington community to ensure a safe and successful rollout.