A Prime Air cargo Boeing 767-300 overran the diagonal runway at Miami International Airport and is disabled; authorities have closed all runways and taxiways and issued a full ground stop as emergency crews respond to the scene.
Amazon’s Prime Air drone deliveries have dropped packages directly into swimming pools in Texas (and previously in Arizona), as the service expands to about 500 US cities; while Amazon says the drone checks for people and obstacles before delivery, questions remain about whether water is adequately considered a drop zone and past incidents include drones crashing or delivering soggy packages.
Amazon says Prime Air will expand drone delivery to roughly 500 US cities and towns by year-end, with service already available in seven states and new coverage in Illinois, Georgia, Ohio, Idaho, and New York. Drones can deliver items weighing 5 pounds or less that fit in a large shoebox, with orders arriving in about 30–60 minutes. Safety features include a Detect-and-Avoid system and multiple independent safety checks; customers can check eligibility on Amazon’s drone delivery page. Walmart is also expanding its drone program to about 100 more stores. While the service promises convenience, residents may have concerns about noise and privacy.
Amazon says its Prime Air drone-delivery network will reach nearly 500 U.S. cities and towns by year-end, expanding to Chicago, Syracuse, Cleveland, Atlanta, and Boise and joining 11 existing sites; each site covers about 175 square miles and can deliver packages up to 5 pounds with most orders arriving within about an hour. The company also highlights its Detect-and-Avoid safety system amid prior drone-crash concerns.
Amazon says Prime Air will expand to nearly 500 U.S. cities by year-end, six times its current footprint, aiming for about 1 million drone deliveries this year after regulatory approvals for longer-range flights; the expansion includes new capabilities like a tethered "gentle delivery" and broader product eligibility, while the company contends with ongoing safety probes in the U.S. and U.K. and faces growing competition from Wing and Zipline.
Amazon has received FAA approval to expand its drone delivery program, allowing its Prime Air service to operate drones beyond visual line of sight. This approval, initially applicable to College Station, Texas, enables Amazon to scale its operations and potentially expand to more locations across the U.S. The company demonstrated its drones' ability to detect and avoid obstacles to gain this approval, marking a significant step in its long-term goal of delivering 500 million packages by drone annually by the end of the decade.
Amazon has received FAA approval to expand its Prime Air drone delivery service beyond visual line of sight, allowing it to reach more customers and integrate drone deliveries into its same-day delivery network. The company plans to start by expanding operations in College Station, Texas, and aims to deliver 500 million packages per year by the end of the decade.
Amazon's Prime Air has received FAA approval to expand its drone delivery operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), allowing the company to scale its services to more locations in the U.S. This approval follows extensive testing and validation of Amazon's onboard detect-and-avoid technology. The expansion will initially focus on College Station, Texas, and aims to integrate drone deliveries into Amazon's broader delivery network, enhancing the speed and reach of its services.
Sean Cassidy, the director of safety, flight operations, and regulatory affairs for Amazon's drone delivery unit, Prime Air, has announced his departure from the company. Cassidy, who oversaw Amazon's relations with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), played a crucial role in the development of the ambitious drone delivery program. Despite receiving Part 135 certification from the FAA in 2020, Amazon's drone delivery program has faced regulatory setbacks and struggled to meet delivery goals. Cassidy's departure comes as Amazon continues to face challenges in realizing its vision of using drones to deliver packages to customers' doorsteps.