Amazon delivery drones are coming to metro Phoenix in 2024
Amazon announced this week that its drones will be flying into metro Phoenix later this year.
The Amazon Drone Delivery Program will be based in Tolleson and will deliver packages in less than an hour to West Valley customers who opt in to the service.
"This is also the first time that drones are being integrated into an existing Amazon facility," said Zoe Gisela Richmond with Amazon. The same-day facility in Tolleson, where the drones will be based, opened in 2022.
"As Amazon embarks on the national expansion of its Amazon Drone Delivery Program, we're proud to have their innovative presence in our community,” said Tolleson Mayor Juan F. Rodriguez in an Amazon press release. “By bringing this service to new communities, they're not just delivering goods; they're delivering opportunities and economic growth for all.”
Company officials say they’re working with the Federal Aviation Administration to secure “all necessary permissions to conduct these deliveries in Tolleson.” Luke Air Force Base is in Glendale, about 25 miles away from Tolleson. An Amazon spokesperson said Wednesday that rules for delivering near the base will be determined by the FAA.
Currently, the Amazon Drone Delivery Program operates in College Station, Texas, and Lockeford, California. Amazon began serving those areas in 2022.
Amazon held a press event Wednesday in Tolleson, where it showed off the drone used for testing in Texas. The delivery drones are fully autonomous, can carry up to 5 pounds of cargo and won’t deliver at night.
The company also said it doesn’t have a firm start date or map of the service area yet.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated to correctly identify Tiffany Rivas in a photo caption.
