Stories

Wed, 06 May 2026

Wed, 06 May 2026 'We had people come just to see it': Amazon delivers its first UK parcels by drone

The unmanned aircraft can drop off 100 parcels a day within a 12km radius of Amazon's hub.

* Amazon has launched a drone delivery service in Darlington, County Durham, making it the first retailer in the UK to do so.
* Packages weighing less than 5lb (2.2kg) can be delivered within a 7.5 mile (12km) radius of Amazon's fulfilment centre.
* The service is currently only available in areas with gardens or yards where drones can safely land.
* Customers must have a Prime membership and meet certain eligibility criteria to use the service.
* Amazon plans to expand the service slowly, but has faced challenges and delays in getting it off the ground.
* The company uses its most modern drone, the MK30, which has sensors to avoid obstacles and can deliver packages within two hours.
* Amazon currently delivers by drone in five US states and is testing the technology in Darlington as a case study for future expansion.