Amazon's drone delivery service, Amazon Prime Air, ends operations in Rockford, California



Starting in 2022, Amazon will roll out its drone delivery service

, Amazon Prime Air , in College Station, Texas and Rockford, California, with the goal of delivering within 30 minutes of ordering. On April 23, 2024, Amazon announced that it would discontinue Amazon Prime Air service in Rockford, California, and launch a new operation in Tolson, Arizona.

Amazon drone delivery is coming to Arizona
https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/transportation/amazon-drone-delivery-arizona



Amazon ends California drone deliveries | TechCrunch

https://techcrunch.com/2024/04/22/amazon-ends-california-drone-deliveries/

Amazon ends drone program in California as it eyes Arizona launch
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/22/amazon-ends-drone-program-in-california-as-it-eyes-arizona-launch.html

The existence of Amazon's delivery service 'Amazon Prime Air', which delivers parcels from the sky by drone, was revealed in 2013. Since then, Amazon has been developing drones, but it has been difficult to obtain approval under strict regulations by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Nevertheless, on August 31, 2020, the FAA approved Amazon's application for Part 135, a aviation regulation that authorizes scheduled and charter flights of small propeller aircraft. This allows Amazon to deliver packages by drone anywhere, including where the operator cannot see them.

FAA approves Amazon's drone delivery service 'Prime Air' that delivers packages 'from the sky' 'within 30 minutes' - GIGAZINE



Since then, Amazon has been actively improving its drones and conducting test flights, and launched Amazon Prime Air services in Rockford, California in June 2022. The launch of the service in Rockford, California was the second base after College Station, Texas.




However, in the case of Amazon Prime Air in Rockford, California, local residents were not happy with the service due to concerns about privacy, a lack of explanation to local residents, and the impact on local livestock farming.

Amazon's first drone delivery not well received - GIGAZINE



Amazon also announced that it will close its distribution center in Rockford, California on April 23, 2024. The reason for the closure has not been disclosed, but Amazon said it is 'prioritizing resources to continue growing the program with an eye to the future.'

However, Amazon Prime Air will not be terminated, and it will continue to operate in College Station, Texas, and will start operations in Tolson, Arizona from the second half of 2024. At the time of writing, Amazon is working with the FAA and local authorities in Tolson to obtain permission to deploy the service in Tolson. It has been reported that local residents will be contacted as soon as all necessary approvals are obtained.

Tolson Mayor Juan Rodriguez welcomed the launch of Amazon Prime Air in Tolson, saying, 'Transitioning to zero-emission package delivery like Amazon Prime Air reduces pollution in our local environment and further strengthens our city as a breeding ground for future innovative technologies. We are proud that Amazon will be bringing Prime Air to Tolson as they expand their service nationwide.'

Amazon also revealed that it plans to open more Amazon Prime Air delivery centers in the United States after 2025, and reported that it is conducting flight tests of a drone called the ' MK30 ,' which is quieter than conventional delivery drones and can fly even in rainy weather.

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