Amazon is seeking approval from the Civil Aviation Authority to expand its drone delivery service, Prime Air, to cover the entire town of Darlington, United Kingdom. The company launched a limited trial of the service in February, designating Darlington as its first UK test center for Prime Air, marking its initial operation outside of the United States.
Expansion Based on Trial Success
After conducting more than 500 flights and deliveries, Amazon believes the service has proven successful enough to warrant an expansion. The current service allows eligible customers within a 7.5-mile radius of the County Durham site to receive certain items. Packages must weigh less than 5 pounds and fit within the dimensions of a large shoebox. Some deliveries have been completed in as little as 39 minutes.
David Carbon, vice president of Prime Air, expressed optimism about receiving permission "very soon." The ultimate goal for Amazon is to extend drone delivery services across the entire United Kingdom.
Customers eligible for the service must have a garden, yard, or driveway for the drones to deliver packages. Eligible items are delivered within two hours of ordering. Amazon's Prime Air service has been operating in the United States prior to its UK trial. An Amazon drone in the air in the United States.