Amazon Immediately Operate Package Delivery With Drones

Drone illustration (Image Credit: Drone Illustration Richardo Gomez Angel / Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has finally approved the operation of drones for Amazon's goods delivery mode. This means Amazon's Prime Air delivery service is ready to operate throughout the United States (US).

Now Jeff Bezos' e-commerce has a Part 135 airline certificate that must be owned before the company starts a courier service for delivering goods by drone. Amazon plans to start trying out its drone courier service in the near future.

These drones will later allow retailers to start offering delivery of goods using commercial drones. Amazon has also validated more than 500 safety and efficiency processes as part of its implementation for certificates.

"This certification is an important step forward for Prime Air. It demonstrates the FAA's confidence in Amazon's operations and safety procedures for autonomous drone delivery services," Amazon said as quoted by CNN International, Tuesday, September 1.

The FAA also specifically regulates Amazon so that it can deliver packages safely and efficiently to its customers. Drone program leader and former Boeing executive David Carbon said the certification was an important step.

"We will continue to develop and refine our technology to fully integrate drone delivery into the airspace, and work closely with the FAA and other regulators around the world to realize our vision in 30 minute delivery," said Carbon.

Amazon also said it would someday expand its drone parcel delivery technology to customers around the world. Amazon first announced its Prime Air plan more than seven years ago, but was hindered by regulations, hardware limitations, and other challenges.

The newest version of the delivery drone can take off vertically. Going forward, Amazon will aim to develop electric drones capable of flying up to 15 miles on a five-pound package. This drone can make this trip in 30 minutes or less.