Amazon to fly drone deliveries in this metro Phoenix city soon
West Valley residents might see delivery drones over Tolleson.
Amazon is testing out drone deliveries in the West Valley, with plans to fully implement the program later this year. The program initially started in College Station, Texas, and Lockeford, California, in 2022.
Drone delivery has allowed Amazon to deliver some products in less than an hour, including prescription medications in College Station.
Walmart also previously implemented drone delivery in the Phoenix area in 2022, allowing customers to receive deliveries in as little as 30 minutes.
The drones will be deployed out of the same-day delivery site in Tolleson, which includes both a fulfillment center and a delivery station. Amazon's same-day delivery sites are located near large metro areas, where products are fulfilled, sorted and delivered.
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When will Amazon's drone deliveries start?
Amazon is currently working with the Federal Aviation Administration and Tolleson officials to get the necessary approvals to implement drone delivery by the end of the year.
Tolleson Mayor Juan Rodriguez said the initiative is a good opportunity for Tolleson to be innovative. The system will create safer streets due to fewer vehicles being on the road, and also have less of an impact on the environment, Rodriguez said.
"When you're a small town in the middle of an urban landscape surrounded by major buildings and major cities, it's always cool when you can be the partner on something so grand," Rodriguez said.
How will Amazon drone deliveries work? Where will they fly?
The drones will operate within a 7-mile radius, Rodriguez said, meaning residents in portions of Avondale and Phoenix will also be able to use the drone delivery service.
Amazon is currently testing out a new drone called the MK30. It is quieter than the current drone and would allow delivery to customers with smaller backyards and in more densely populated areas. It can also fly twice as far as the current drone and in more diverse weather conditions.
While Amazon will be closing the delivery site in Lockeford, others are planned to open around the country next year.
Amazon will host a meeting on Wednesday evening from 4 to 6 p.m., where residents can ask questions about the drones. The meeting will take place at the Tolleson Civic Center, which is located at 9055 W. Van Buren St.
Reach the reporter at ahardle@gannett.com or by phone at 480-259-8545. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @AlexandraHardle.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Amazon to implement drone delivery in metro Phoenix city
