As it reconsiders its autonomous operations, Amazon has discontinued its Prime Air drone delivery service in Lockeford, California.
Amazon sent a statement outlining the adjustments. While deliveries will still be made from the company’s College Station, Texas location, the site in the 3,500-person community of Lockeford is closing.
The massive online retailer said it will provide all current workers with alternative options at other sites, although it did not provide further details about why it was closing the Lockeford site. It would use several delivery techniques to cater to Californian customers.
Amazon remains dedicated to developing new drone solutions. The West Valley of the Phoenix metro region, which is now covered by Amazon’s same-day delivery facility in Tolleson, will now join College Station.
Next to the main site, a new hybrid facility that combines parts fulfillment and delivery will be built. Later this year, the drones are scheduled to fly to customers’ houses. Amazon anticipated that this service improvement will result in increased output and quicker delivery times.
Subject to approval from local authorities and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the precise timeline for the launch in Arizona is still pending.
Mayor Kate Gallego of Phoenix, who called drone delivery “the future,” is a supporter of the program. She asserted that the project would strengthen her city’s reputation as a “hotbed for the innovative technology of tomorrow” and help it “reduce local pollution.”
Amazon’s drone initiatives have been difficult to roll out due to regulatory issues that have proven to be a barrier to their quick diffusion. For the remainder of 2024, Tolleson looks to be the only planned expansion; drone delivery is still extremely new.