Retail giant Amazon to begin drone deliveries in Arizona

Online retail giant Amazon announced Tuesday that it will begin drone deliveries to customers near its same-day delivery site in Tolleson, Arizona.

Those customers will have access to more than 50,000 household essentials that could be delivered by drones in less than an hour, the company said.

Amazon will use its new, quieter MK30 drone, which can carry packages as heavy as 5 pounds and fly farther than previous models.

In a statement, Amazon confirmed that the MK30 has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to fly beyond visual line of sight, which allows the drone to fly farther than its operator can see.

Tolleson officials welcomed Amazon’s drone delivery expansion, pointing to the technology’s economic possibilities.

“As Amazon embarks on the national expansion of its Amazon Drone Delivery Program, we’re proud to have their innovative presence in our community. By bringing this service to new communities, they’re not just delivering goods; they’re delivering opportunities and economic growth for all,” Tolleson Mayor Juan F. Rodriguez said.

Amazon has experimented with drone delivery systems for years. It had operated a drone-powered same-day delivery service in Lockford, California, until April of this year, when the company announced it would shut down the location and look to other markets.

Additionally, Amazon conducts drone deliveries in College Station, Texas, and has plans to expand.