Amazon Scales Drone Deliveries to 500 Cities by 2026

The company identified 11 new launch sites, including locations in Texas, Michigan, and Florida. Notably, operations will return to Tolleson, Arizona, the site of a 2025 collision where two drones struck a crane. Amazon previously faced public criticism following incidents involving crashed drones in residential gardens and apartment complexes. To address these safety concerns, the company is doubling down on its proprietary Detect-and-Avoid system, which uses onboard sensors and cameras to navigate obstacles and manage flight paths in varied weather conditions.

Prime Air currently maintains Federal Aviation Administration Part 135 certification, placing it under the same regulatory umbrella as commercial airlines. David Carbon, vice president of the division, reported that the service has already completed hundreds of thousands of deliveries this year. Prime members qualify for free drone shipping on orders over $50, while smaller purchases incur a $2.99 fee. As Amazon ramps up, it faces stiff competition from Walmart and Alphabet’s Wing, which recently expanded their own combined network into major markets like Philadelphia and the Bay Area.