Amazon seeks permission to launch UK’s first drone delivery service in Darlington

Darlington could see the UK’s first drone delivery service in the wake of a partnership between the multinational Amazon, Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and Teesside International Airport. Amazon is seeking planning approval to build a flight facility in the County Durham town as well as permission from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to fly the lightweight delivery service in airspace.

Amazon said its Prime Air service will use autonomous electric drones to carry out 30-minute deliveries from warehouse to customers’ homes across the area. The drone is able to avoid obstacles and will find a designated spot to drop the package on the ground, said Amazon.

The company announced its intention to bring its drone service to the UK in 2023, with Tees Valley leading the bids to be chosen as the location.

Teesside International Airport has offered advice and guidance on local air operations from senior management and the air traffic control team.

Ben Houchen said: “We are grabbing the opportunities and the optimism of the tech revolution – so it’s no surprise that Amazon has chosen Darlington as the location to launch Prime Air in the UK.

“We have worked tirelessly with Amazon to bring this UK first to Teesside which will support high-quality jobs, deliver vital multi-million-pound investment in our local economy and drive growth across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.

“The world is moving at pace - and if we don’t keep up, we will be left behind. If you’re not first, you’re last.”

Amazon is seeking planning permission from Darlington Borough Council to build a flight operations facilities and is also applying for authorisation from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to fly drones in the airspace.

An Amazon spokesperson said: “Once those agreements are in place, we will be able to begin hiring team members to launch drone delivery. We’ll continue to work closely with the CAA as they develop the regulatory framework to make commercial drone delivery a reality in the UK.

“In the meantime, we will also engage with the Darlington community to answer questions and collect feedback as we seek to offer this new option for delivery.”

Amazon said it has built safe and reliable drone delivery services elsewhere in the world in close partnership with regulators and communities.

The company added that, since launching in the United States in 2022, Prime Air has “safely delivered” thousands of packages to customers in 60 minutes or less using a fleet of drones it designed, built, and operates.

Amazon said it will hold a community event in Darlington next month to answer questions and collect feedback.