Janice R. Andrews
Amazon has launched drone deliveries in parts of Phoenix, enabling faster shipments of various items. Residents in the West Valley Phoenix Metro area can now choose the drone delivery option at checkout, with deliveries arriving within an hour. This service is powered by the newly approved MK30 drone, which has received authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for beyond-visual-line-of-sight flights.
The drone delivery service will carry products like household goods, office supplies, and health and beauty items. However, there are some limitations—only products weighing five pounds or less qualify for delivery, with 50,000 eligible items currently available.
Additionally, deliveries are contingent on favorable weather and daylight hours. Amazon has stated that drones will not operate during heavy winds, rain, or at night.
This move comes after Amazon discontinued its Prime Air drone program in California earlier this year, though the company continues drone deliveries in Texas and plans to expand into Europe. With this launch, Amazon is enhancing its delivery capabilities and pushing the boundaries of e-commerce logistics.
