'We had people come just to see it': Amazon delivers its first UK parcels by drone

Amazon has launched its first UK drone delivery service in Darlington, County Durham, delivering packages under 5lb within a 7.5-mile radius of its fulfillment center [1]. The service, currently limited to deliveries within two hours, represents Amazon's first drone operation outside the United States [1]. Eligible customers must have a garden or yard to receive a delivery, which is dropped from a height of approximately 12 feet by an autonomous MK30 drone equipped with GPS and sensors [1]. Amazon plans a maximum of ten flights per hour, aiming for up to a hundred deliveries on weekdays [1]. David Carbon, vice president of Amazon Prime Air, stated the average drone delivery time in the U.S. is 36 minutes, a benchmark for the UK operation [1]. He cited demand for urgent items like fever medication as a driver for the service [1]. Darlington was selected for its mix of residential areas, major roads, and proximity to Teesside Airport, providing varied testing conditions [1]. The Civil Aviation Authority has approved a trial until year-end, with temporary protected airspace granted until at least mid-June [1]. Rob Shield, a local resident who hosted early test runs, noted initial novelty gave way to practical use [1]. A Darlington Borough Council spokesperson said the scheme highlights the borough as an area of innovation [1]. The launch follows trials by other UK organizations, including the NHS and Royal Mail, using drones for medical and remote community deliveries [1]. Amazon's U.S. drone operations have experienced incidents, including a crash in Texas in February after a GPS signal loss, which led to a policy change for certain apartment deliveries [1].