The e-commerce and technology company has begun applying for permits to fly delivery drones in Darlington, England.

Amazon’s first UK drone deliveries will take flight in Darlington, England, the company announced on Monday. The e-commerce giant is taking the initial steps to get Prime Air deliveries off the ground in the area, working with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for authorization to fly its drones in the airspace.

Since launching in 2022 in the U.S., we have safely delivered thousands of packages to customers in 60 minutes or less using a fleet of electric drones designed, built, and operated by Amazon. In

Test drone deliveries in America saw Amazon deliver free items, such as cans of soup, to driveways. Amazon has chosen Darlington as the first location in the UK to see parcels delivered by drones. It says it will now start the planning process for initial flights from its fulfilment centre on the outskirts of the town.

Amazon announced Monday it has picked the north England town of Darlington as the first site for its planned U.K. drone delivery expansion. Amazon was expected to expand Prime Air to the U.K. and Italy in 2024.

Amazon's delivery drones are set to return to British skies, nine years after they were first trialled near Cambridge.

Amazon has unveiled plans to launch Britain’s first drone delivery service in Darlington despite recently grounding US flights following crashes in wet weather.