History of Amazon Prime Air in Timeline

Amazon Prime Air is a drone delivery service by Amazon, aiming to autonomously deliver packages. Launched in 2022, it currently operates in two US cities. Expansion is planned for the UK and Italy in 2024. The service utilizes drones to provide faster and more efficient delivery for customers.

2012: FAA Modernization and Reform Act

In 2012, Congress issued the Federal Aviation Administration a deadline of September 30, 2015 to accomplish a "safe integration of civil unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system.

2013: Amazon Prime Air Plans Revealed

In 2013, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos revealed plans for Amazon Prime Air in an interview. The Amazon Prime Air team worked with NASA and Single European Sky ATM on trials using the Amazon air traffic management system, with drones flying at low altitudes (below 400 feet).

March 2015: FAA Grants Permission for Drone Testing

In March 2015, the FAA granted Amazon permission to begin U.S. testing of a prototype drone under a waiver to the regulations. However, Amazon reported that the vehicle cleared for use was obsolete.

April 2015: FAA Allows Testing of Current Drone Models

In April 2015, the FAA allowed Amazon to begin testing current drone models. Prior to this, Amazon had begun testing at a Canadian site close to the United States border.

September 30, 2015: FAA Deadline for Drone Integration

On September 30, 2015, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) faced a deadline, issued by Congress in the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, to accomplish a "safe integration of civil unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system."

August 2016: Commercial Use of UAV Technology Legalized

In August 2016, the United States Congress legalized the commercial use of UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) technology.

December 7, 2016: Successful Prime Air Delivery in Cambridge, England

On December 7, 2016, Amazon successfully delivered a Prime Air parcel to Cambridge, England, from a fulfillment center in the Cambridge area.

December 2016: Public Trial of Amazon Prime Air in Cambridge Begins

Also in December 2016, Amazon began its first publicly available trial of Amazon Prime Air to those within several miles of Amazon's depot in Cambridge, England.

2017: Amazon Patents Autonomous Car Technology

In 2017, Amazon was granted a patent for a method that would allow autonomous cars to deal with reversible lanes by receiving information from a central management system. This falls under the Prime Air division's responsibility for autonomous vehicles.

June 2019: FAA Grants Special Airworthiness Certificate

In June 2019, the FAA granted Amazon Prime Air a Special Airworthiness Certificate for training and research of its MK27 drone.

August 2020: Amazon Receives FAA Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate

In August 2020, Amazon received an FAA Part 135 air carrier certificate, marking a significant step towards commercial drone delivery operations.

2020: FAA selects Amazon for drone certification program

In 2020, the FAA selected Amazon, along with Zipline, Wingcopter, and seven other companies, to participate in a type certification program for delivery drones.

April 2022: Ongoing Drone Delivery Trials in Rural Areas

As of April 2022, Amazon's drone delivery trials were ongoing in several rural areas in Oregon and California, with about 30 different products available for delivery.

June 13, 2022: Amazon Announces Drone Delivery in Lockeford, California

On June 13, 2022, Amazon announced that they would be delivering products using Prime Air drones to customers in Lockeford, California, awaiting FAA and Lockeford officials' permission, with a launch planned for "later this year".

July 2022: College Station Approves Zoning Change for Prime Air Facility

In July 2022, the College Station City Council approved a zoning change to allow Amazon to put its Prime Air facility in the city.

December 23, 2022: Prime Air Deliveries Announced in College Station, Texas

On December 23, 2022, Amazon announced that the Prime Air facility in College Station, Texas, along with Lockeford, California, was ready to begin Prime Air deliveries.

2022: Drone Delivery Costs and Requirements in 2022

As of 2022, the cost for a single drone delivery in Amazon's ongoing US trials was at least $484. Customers participating in the trials were required to install a physical marker in their backyard and designate a person responsible for observing the drone's flight path. The drones cost $146,000 to build per unit, and had a reach of five kilometers.

2022: Amazon Prime Air Launches

In 2022, Amazon Prime Air, a drone delivery service, officially launched. The service uses delivery drones to autonomously fly individual packages to customers and currently operates in two US cities.

October 2023: Amazon Announces Drone Deliveries in UK and Italy

In October 2023, Amazon announced that drone deliveries will start in the United Kingdom and Italy in 2024, beginning in one site and then expanding over time. Amazon also indicated that they will start operating drones in a third city in the United States, with specific locations to be announced in the next months.

2023: U.S. FAA Drone Regulations in 2023

As of 2023, U.S. FAA Part 107 regulations required drones to fly no higher than 400 ft, no faster than 100 mph, and remain within the pilot's line of sight. Amazon intends to move towards operating above 200 ft and beneath 500 ft, with drones weighing up to 55 lbs within a 10 mi radius of its warehouses, at speeds of up to 50 mph with packages weighing up to 5 lbs.

April 22, 2024: Prime Air service no longer offered in Lockeford

As of April 22, 2024, the Prime Air delivery service is no longer offered in Lockeford, California.

November 2024: Amazon Commences Drone Delivery Operations in Phoenix Metro Area

In November 2024, Amazon began drone delivery operations in the West Valley Phoenix Metro Area, providing eligible customers with access to over 50,000 products through the program.