FAA approves drone delivery for Amazon

The Federal Aviation Administration has approved Amazon’s fleet of Prime Air delivery drones for package delivery.

“This certification is an important step forward for Prime Air and indicates the FAA’s confidence in Amazon’s operating and safety procedures for an autonomous drone delivery service that will one day deliver packages to our customers around the world. We will continue to develop and refine our technology to fully integrate delivery drones into the airspace, and work closely with the FAA and other regulators around the world to realize our vision of 30 minute delivery.” David Carbon, an Amazon vice president, said in a statement obtained by CNBC.

Part 135 certification is the only path for small drones to carry the property of another for compensation beyond visual line of sight.

—  Excerpt from Package Delivery by Drone (Part 135) - Federal Aviation Administration

The certification will allow Amazon to continue to test its electric delivery drone unveiled last year. The drone is designed to carry up to 5 pounds for up to 15 miles, according to CNBC. The company has been promising 30-minute delivery since Prime Air was announced in 2013.

Read more about it here.

Cox Media Group