Amazon drone delivery expected to expand to South Jersey as Prime Air grows nationwide
Amazon plans to expand Prime Air to nearly 500 U.S. cities and towns by the end of 2026, while Mantua police say drone deliveries are expected to begin locally in mid-October.
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Amazon plans to expand its Prime Air drone delivery service to nearly 500 U.S. cities and towns by the end of the year, with a new South Jersey operation expected to begin this fall.
In New Jersey, Amazon is planning a drone launch facility at 240 Mantua Grove Road in West Deptford Township, according to Mantua Township Police Chief William Murphy. The proposed delivery area would cover almost all of Mantua Township and the Borough of Wenonah.
Murphy said local police and emergency management officials met with Amazon representatives about the proposed operation. Amazon told officials it anticipates beginning drone deliveries in mid-October.
The company said drones would operate from 15 minutes before sunrise until 15 minutes after sunset and at altitudes below 400 feet.
The New Jersey plans come as Amazon prepares for a major nationwide expansion of Prime Air. The company said it expects the service to reach nearly 500 cities and towns by the end of 2026, about six times its current footprint and enough to reach communities with tens of millions of customers.
Prime Air offers deliveries in as fast as 30 minutes for eligible products weighing 5 pounds or less that can fit in a large shoebox. Amazon said millions of products, including groceries, electronics, cosmetics, medications and household items, are eligible at most Prime Air locations.
The service currently operates in parts of seven states: Arizona, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska and Texas. Amazon said additional launches are planned this year, including in New York.
Amazon said its Prime Air operation holds Federal Aviation Administration Part 135 certification. Its drones use onboard cameras and sensors for navigation, obstacle detection and delivery. The company says the drone itself processes camera data and no person monitors live camera feeds.
Prime members can receive free drone delivery on orders of at least $50. Amazon charges Prime members $2.99 for smaller orders and non-Prime customers $4.99 per delivery.
(Image Credit: Mantua Police Department)
(Photo Credit: Amazon)
