Amazon discontinues Prime Air drone delivery service in California
Amazon has announced the cessation of its Prime Air drone delivery service in Lockeford, California. The service, launched in 2022, allowed residents to order items weighing up to 2.3kg, and receive them via drone within 30 minutes. Although the company did not provide a specific reason for discontinuing the Lockeford operation, it promised that employees at the site would be offered "opportunities at other sites."
New Prime Air hub to come up in Arizona
Simultaneously with the suspension of its California operations, Amazon revealed plans to open a new Prime Air hub in Tolleson, Arizona. The forthcoming facility is expected to offer "same-day" deliveries to residents of the West Valley Phoenix metropolitan area. The company has scheduled the commencement of its Arizona operations for later this year.
Amazon to continue Prime Air operations in Texas
Amazon confirmed its commitment to continue Prime Air operations in College Station, Texas. The company also disclosed plans for new locations by 2025. Currently, the MK30 drone model, which is lighter and can navigate through light rain, is under testing. This model was introduced in November 2022 following reports of previous models, experiencing issues with crashing and burning during trials.
Amazon's drone delivery service has faced difficulties in meeting targets
Despite being an early adopter of drone delivery services, Amazon has faced difficulties in meeting its targets. The company had set a goal of 10,000 drone deliveries by the end of last year. However, only 100 deliveries were recorded by mid-2023. In contrast, competitor Zipline announced a milestone of 1,000,000 deliveries as of April 19. Despite these challenges, Amazon's dedication to its drone delivery project remains steadfast.
Phoenix Mayor excited about drone delivery project
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming drone delivery service in Tolleson. She stated, "This kind of delivery is the future, and it's exciting that it will be starting in the Phoenix Metro Area." Gallego also highlighted the environmental benefits of this initiative, noting that, "The shift toward zero-emission package delivery will help us reduce local pollution and further cement our city as a hotbed for the innovative technology of tomorrow."
