Amazon drones approved to expand delivery to 8,000 Darlington homes

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 10 Nov, 11:09 · Archive

Amazon has received safety approval to expand drone deliveries to around 8,000 households in Darlington.

Amazon has received a Specific Assurance and Integrity Level 4 (SAIL 4) operating authorisation and flightworthiness validation from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), described as the 'world's first' such approval. From Tuesday, around 8,000 households in the Darlington area became eligible for Prime Air drone deliveries, expanding from the previous 600 customers who had access since the pilot launched earlier this year.

The MK30 drone, which Amazon operates from its Symmetry Park fulfilment centre, can deliver everyday items weighing less than 5lb that fit into a large shoebox in under an hour as part of the Amazon Prime membership with no additional delivery fee. The approval allows drones to fly over more populated areas and further distances than the previous limited service.

Theunis Scheepers, Amazon's director for Prime Air in Europe, said the company had 'worked backwards from the most demanding standards' and that earning the approval 'took years of disciplined engineering and an unwavering commitment to safety'. He described the authorisation as 'the foundation for the future of delivery' and 'just the beginning for Prime Air in the UK', indicating plans for broader expansion.

How it is being reported

• Amazon drone deliveries granted huge extensionAmazon drones are now allowed to fly to 8,000 properties in Darlington, up from an initial 600.BBC Tees · 10 Nov, 11:51
• Amazon expands drone delivery service to thousands more Darlington householdsNew authorisations means drones can fly further and across urban areas and lays the foundation for future expansion across the UKTeessideLive · 10 Nov, 10:34
• Amazon drone boost as tech giant expands deliveries to 8,000 Darlington homesAmazon drones are now able to drop off parcels to 8,000 Darlington homes in a major expansion of its fleet in town.The Northern Echo · 10 Nov, 09:19

In this story: Amazon · Civil Aviation Authority · Darlington · Theunis Scheepers

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