ROME, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Amazon ( AMZN ) said on Thursday
it had successfully completed an initial test of using delivery
drones in Italy, the first European country where the e-commerce
giant plans to introduce the service.
The test was carried out on Wednesday in San Salvo, a town
in the central Abruzzo region.
"The company continues to work with Italian authorities to
meet all the requirements needed to launch the service next
year," Amazon ( AMZN ) said.
The company had previously said it hoped to start using
drones in Italy and in Britain in late 2024.
In August, Britain's aviation regulator said it had selected
six projects, including one by Amazon ( AMZN ), to test the use of drones
in deliveries, inspection of infrastructure and emergency
services.
So-called Prime Air drone package deliveries, first launched
in December 2022, are currently operational in a couple of U.S.
locations in Texas and Arizona, and are due to be gradually
expanded, a company spokesperson told Reuters.
"Amazon ( AMZN ) delivery drones flew for the first time in Italian
skies on December 4, 2024. The test flight was made with the new
MK-30 drone, the highly automated drone system that uses the
industry-leading Amazon ( AMZN ) computer vision program," its statement
said on the test in Italy.
"This allows drones to move safely away from obstacles,
ensuring the safety of people, animals and property, and helping
to keep Amazon ( AMZN ) drones separate from other aircraft in the
operational area."