Amazon is ready to revolutionize the delivery industry. On December 4, 2024, the drones of the e-commerce giant have made their first flight in Italy, delivering parcels in the San Salvo area, in the province of Chieti. The test marks a milestone for the company in our country, which plans to launch drone delivery service by 2025.
The test flight was carried out with the support of the Italian authorities, thanks to the operational authorization of theENAC (National Civil Aviation Authority) and to the collaboration with Enav, the body responsible for air traffic management.
Amazon Prime Air: The Star of the Test is the MK-30 Drone
The feat was achieved by theMK-30, jewel of technology developed by Amazon. This new generation drone uses an advanced computer vision system, which allows it to avoid obstacles and ensure the safety of people, animals and property. “Thanks to this system, our drones can fly completely safely, staying separate from other aircraft and respecting the surrounding environment,” Amazon explained in a statement.
With a capacity of transport packages up to 2,5 kg and a range of 12 km, the MK-30 represents a major evolution over previous models. The drone promises to make more fast and sustainable deliveries, combining technology and respect for the environment.
The test was carried out thanks to the collaboration between Amazon and the Italian authorities, with a strong focus on safety and compliance with local regulations. Amazon reiterated its commitment to working closely with the regulatory authorities Italian and local for ensure a safe service that complies with European standards.
A historic flight for Abruzzo
The test in Abruzzo marks a first step towards theLaunch of commercial delivery service with drones in Italy, planned for 2025. The company reiterated that the commercial service It will only start when all the necessary authorizations are obtained, “we will launch the service only once all safety and regulatory requirements are met,” Amazon stressed.
Il Prime Air program, Already tested in the United States, aims to transform last-mile deliveries into a fast and efficient experience, reducing environmental impact and timescales.
Amazon has San Salvo area chosen not only to test its drones, but also as operational headquarters of its distribution center in Italy. The company has already invested significantly in Abruzzo, creating over 1.000 jobs in the distribution center and sorting warehouse in San Giovanni Teatino.
“We believed in the value of the Amazon settlement in San Salvo,” he declared Marcus Marsilius, President of the Abruzzo Region. “This is a moment of great pride for our territory, which is now at the center of European technological innovation.”
“Being the first center outside the United States to implement a drone delivery service is a confirmation of the economic transformation that is taking place in Abruzzo,” said Marsilio. The mayor of San Salvo, Emanuela De Nicolis, highlighted how the project represents a turning point for the city, confirming it as a centre of technological and logistical excellence.
Amazon's commitment in Italy
The arrival of Prime Air represents thefinal step of an ambitious investment plan that Amazon is making in Italy. With over 19.000 jobs indefinitely created in 60 locations spread out throughout the country, the company confirms its key role in local economic development. In Abruzzo, the San Salvo distribution center has become a point of reference for innovation and employment, with more than 1.000 workers permanently employed.
Last week, the Council of Ministers approved a Amazon's major strategic investmentThe approved resolution recognizes thestrategic interest of Amazon Web Services plan (Aws), which provides a investment of 1,2 billion of euros in Italy. The project, aimed at strengthening the country's digital sovereignty, includes the construction of new infrastructures in the metropolitan area of Milan and the expansion of those already operational in Lombardy since 2020.
“The fact that Amazon has chosen Italy as the base for the launch of the Prime Air project in Europe is a testament to the success of the collaboration between institutions and private companies. We are proud of support Amazon in this project which brings Italy to the centre of innovation in the delivery sector" commented the President of ENAC, Pierluigi DiPalma.
“We are particularly proud and happy with the work done in recent months that has allowed us, thanks to our operational and technological capacity, to be protagonists of an extraordinary evolution in the field of air mobility. ENAV is a company available and supporting projects such as Amazon's, aware of our role not only as a service provider but as a true strategic partner in an industrial logic", declared Pasqualino Monti, Chief Executive Officer of Enav SpA.
