Amazon hails important step in drone delivery journey

Amazon has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the US to operate its fleet of Prime Air delivery drones.

This will give the e-commerce giant, which has been talking up its drone delivery plans since 2013, broad privileges to "safely and efficiently deliver packages to customers." Amazon joins UPS and Alphabet-owned Wing, who have also won FAA approval in this space..

A FAA spokesperson commented: "We support innovation that is beneficial to the public, especially during a health or weather-related crisis."

Just don't expect Amazon packages to be regularly delivered by drone right away. Amazon has said it will take more time and effort before that happens, but the FAA approval will allow it to start testing customer deliveries.

"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," David Carbon, VP at Prime Air, said in a statement.

"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 realise our vision of 30 minute delivery."