Amazon Plans to Deliver by Drone In California With Prime Air

Amazon shoppers in Lockeford, California will be one of the first to receive Prime Air drone deliveries in the United States. The company announced that the new delivery system will begin later this year.

Amazon’s press release on the program boasts the vast team of collaborators who have been working to lighten the challenges associated with delivery, like cost, timeliness and safety.

“Our teams of hundreds of scientists, engineers, aerospace professionals, and futurists have been working hard to do just that,” stated the press release.

The project’s main goal is to test out the service and receive feedback. The city, located about 40 miles south of Sacramento, will be eligible to sign up for free drone delivery.

“Lockeford residents will soon have access to one of the world’s leading delivery innovations,” said California State Assemblyman Heath Flora, whose district includes Lockeford. “It’s exciting that Amazon will be listening to the feedback of the San Joaquin County community to inform the future development of this technology.”

Amazon has been working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and local officials in Lockeford to obtain permission to conduct these trial deliveries. In 2020, the FAA gave Amazon permission to fly drones.

Amazon Prime customers are already offered same-day delivery, grocery delivery, Amazon Key and Amazon Day, with a storefront of over 12 million products.