Technology
Amazon successfully tests using delivery drones in Italy
Published by Jessica Weisman-Pitts
Posted on December 5, 2024
2 min readLast updated: January 28, 2026
Global Banking and Finance Review
Company
Published by Jessica Weisman-Pitts
Posted on December 5, 2024
2 min readLast updated: January 28, 2026
ROME (Reuters) – Amazon said on Thursday it had successfully completed an initial test of using delivery drones in Italy, the first European country where the e-commerce giant plans to introduce the service.
ROME (Reuters) – Amazon said on Thursday it had successfully completed an initial test of using delivery drones in Italy, the first European country where the e-commerce giant plans to introduce the service.
The test was carried out on Wednesday in San Salvo, a town in the central Abruzzo region.
“The company continues to work with Italian authorities to meet all the requirements needed to launch the service next year,” Amazon said.
The company had previously said it hoped to start using drones in Italy and in Britain in late 2024.
In August, Britain’s aviation regulator said it had selected six projects, including one by Amazon, to test the use of drones in deliveries, inspection of infrastructure and emergency services.
So-called Prime Air drone package deliveries, first launched in December 2022, are currently operational in a couple of U.S. locations in Texas and Arizona, and are due to be gradually expanded, a company spokesperson told Reuters.
Amazon delivery drones flew for the first time in Italian skies on December 4, 2024. The test flight was made with the new MK-30 drone, the highly automated drone system that uses the industry-leading Amazon computer vision program,” its statement said on the test in Italy.
“This allows drones to move safely away from obstacles, ensuring the safety of people, animals and property, and helping to keep Amazon drones separate from other aircraft in the operational area.”
(Reporting by Alvise Armellini, Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
Drone delivery refers to the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to transport goods directly to customers. This technology aims to enhance delivery efficiency and reduce shipping times.
Amazon Prime Air is a service developed by Amazon that aims to deliver packages to customers using drones. The service is designed to provide fast and efficient delivery options.
Using drones for delivery can reduce delivery times, lower transportation costs, and minimize traffic congestion. Drones can also access remote or hard-to-reach locations more easily than traditional delivery methods.
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