The retailer is one of six organisations selected to test beyond visual line of sight drone operations in the UK.

Amazon has been selected to participate in a ground-breaking drone flight trial in the UK, aimed at advancing the use of drones for delivery services. The company, along with five other organisations, will take part in trials involving beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flights. This means drone operators will no longer be required to keep the flying devices within their direct line of sight.

As part of its initiative, Amazon plans to launch its Prime Air service in the UK by the end of the year, offering rapid deliveries of small packages within an hour of an order being placed. Amazon already operates drone deliveries in the United States, with services running in Lockeford, California, and College Station, Texas.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the UK’s aviation regulator, has also selected other projects for the BVLOS trial, including drone operations for offshore wind farm inspections, emergency medical deliveries, and air traffic control services. Additionally, the National Police Air Service, NATS (the air traffic control provider), and the Scottish islands of Orkney are involved in the trial.

Sophie O’Sullivan, CAA’s director of the Future of Flight programme, described the initiative as a major milestone for safely integrating drones into the UK’s airspace. “These trials are crucial for gathering data to shape the future of drone regulation and policy,” she stated. “Our goal is to make BVLOS operations safe and commonplace, contributing to the modernisation of airspace and the seamless integration of new technology.”

David Carbon, Amazon Prime Air’s vice president and general manager, emphasised the importance of having clear regulatory guidelines. “Having a transparent regulatory framework is vital for the growth of technologies like drone delivery,” he said. “We are grateful for the CAA’s partnership in providing clarity to support the commercial deployment of drones.”