Amazon has been chosen for a trial to expand drone use in the UK.
The online retailer is one of six organisations selected by regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to trial beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone flights, which mean operators will not be required to maintain physical sight of the flying gadgets.
Amazon expects to launch its Prime Air service in the UK by the end of the year, delivering small packages within an hour of an order being placed.
It already offers drone deliveries in the US, in Lockeford, California and College Station, Texas.
The other projects chosen by the CAA to trial BVLOS flights involve inspecting offshore wind farms, the National Police Air Service, air traffic control provider Nats, flights from Scottish archipelago Orkney, and delivering emergency medical supplies.
The regulator said all the schemes will use “advanced technologies” for navigation, control and the detection of other aircraft.
CAA director of future of flight Sophie O’Sullivan said: “These innovative trials mark a significant step forward in integrating drones safely into UK airspace.
“By supporting projects ranging from consumer deliveries to critical infrastructure inspections, we are gathering essential data to shape future policies and regulations.
“Our goal is to make drone operations beyond visual line of sight a safe and everyday reality, contributing to the modernisation of UK airspace and the incorporation of new technology into our skies.”
Amazon Prime Air vice president and general manager David Carbon said: “It’s crucial for operators like us to have clear regulatory requirements in order to bring and scale new technologies, such as drone delivery, to customers in the UK.
“We appreciate the CAA’s effort to partner with us to help bring clarity to the regulations that support commercial drone delivery.”
