Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) has received crucial permission from federal regulators to expand its drone delivery program, the company announced on Thursday.
Seattle-headquartered Amazon announced in a blog post on its website that its Prime Air delivery service has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct drone operations “beyond visual line of sight.” This milestone marks a breakthrough, enabling drones to extend their range beyond previous limitations.
With this approval, Amazon pilots can now operate drones remotely without direct visual observation. Initially, the FAA approval pertains to College Station, Texas, where Amazon commenced drone deliveries in late 2022.
Amazon plans to swiftly scale up its operations in College Station to reach customers in more densely populated areas. The company sees this approval as laying the groundwork to expand drone delivery operations to additional locations across the country.
Businesses have long advocated for simpler rules to facilitate new commercial uses of drones in neighborhood airspace. However, privacy concerns and reservations from airplane and balloon pilots have tempered enthusiasm for such expansions.
Amazon, which has been pursuing this permission for years, received approval from regulators after developing a comprehensive strategy to ensure drone safety, including obstacle detection and avoidance capabilities.
Additionally, Amazon provided detailed engineering information to the FAA and conducted flight demonstrations in front of federal inspectors. These demonstrations involved real planes, helicopters, and a hot air balloon to showcase the drone’s ability to navigate safely around them.
The FAA’s approval marks a significant milestone for Amazon, which has envisioned drone delivery for online orders for over a decade. Although Amazon’s progress was hindered by regulatory challenges, the company remains committed to its drone delivery ambitions.
Last month, Amazon announced the closure of a drone delivery site in Lockeford, California, one of only two such sites nationwide, with plans to open a new site later this year in Tolleson, Arizona, near Phoenix.
Amazon aims to deliver 500 million packages annually via drones by the end of the decade, underscoring its commitment to revolutionizing last-mile delivery through innovative technology.
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