Amazon gets green light to launch drone delivery in the UK this year
Source:Mintel15-08-2024
UK 15-08-2024
Amazon has been given the green light to launch drone delivery in the UK by the end of this year. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has chosen Amazon, alongside five other organisations, to trial beyond visual line-of-sight drone flights, which means operators will not need to maintain physical sight of the drones. It is understood that the drones will be able to fly up to around 12km from their base, which will be one of Amazon's UK fulfilment centres. Amazon will be able to deliver small parcels, weighing less than five pounds, within an hour of an order being placed.
David Carbon, Amazon Prime Air vice-president and general manager, said: "It's crucial for operators like us to have clear regulatory requirements to bring and scale new technologies, such as drone delivery, to customers in the UK. We appreciate the CAA's efforts to partner with us to help clarify the regulations that support commercial drone delivery."
Mintel comment:
“The green light from the CAA will be a boost to Amazon, as the business continues to invest in same-day delivery, adding delivery options to give its shoppers more "control" over their deliveries.
There is strong interest from shoppers in drone deliveries, with over one-third (35%) of consumers would be interested in receiving their online purchases via autonomous delivery (see Mintel’sOnline Retailing: Delivery, Collection and Returns - UK, 2023Report). Adding drones to its UK delivery options will provide Amazon shoppers with more choice to select the delivery that best suits their schedule. With consumers increasingly concerned about their shopping habits and their subsequent impact on the environment, that the drones will feature zero-emission technology could in the longer-term increase buy-in to the fulfilment method and further bolster Amazon’s environmental credentials, with 58% of consumers believing Amazon is making significant efforts to be environmentally friendly (see Mintel’s Amazon: Creating an Ecosystem - UK, 2023 Report).
So this is an exciting step for Amazon as well as for shoppers, with greater options for delivery allowing consumers to select the service that works with their schedule and lifestyle.”
