Amazon Drone Expansion
Amazon expands Prime Air drone delivery plans to nearly 500 cities.
Anonymous
Key Points
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Amazon’s proposed Westborough delivery area could include parts of Worcester, Grafton, Millbury, Upton, Hopkinton, Southborough, Marlborough, Berlin, Boylston and West Boylston, in addition to Shrewsbury, Northborough and Westborough.
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Amazon told Westborough residents the drones would be loudest during takeoff, but said a drone delivery would not be audible if a garbage truck were passing on the same residential street.
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The FAA approved Amazon in 2024 to operate delivery drones beyond visual line of sight. Westborough’s Planning Board can review the facility site plans but cannot approve or reject the flights; the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Aeronautics Division is still considering the landing-area approval.
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Amazon says its MK30 drone can carry eligible items weighing up to 5 pounds—nearly 60% of its most frequently purchased items. Prime members pay nothing for drone delivery on orders over $50, or $2.99 below that threshold; non-Prime customers pay $4.99.
Amazon is racing to expand its Prime Air drone-delivery service to nearly 500 U.S. cities and towns by the end of 2026. The company is pursuing delivery hubs in Westborough, Massachusetts; Portland, Oregon; and Tallahassee, Florida—though residents in some areas are pushing back on noise and safety concerns. Commercial UAV News reported that the FAA approved Amazon in 2024 to operate delivery drones beyond visual line of sight, clearing a major regulatory hurdle.
The Westborough hub would serve customers within about 7.5 miles, covering parts of 13 communities including Worcester and Shrewsbury. Prime Air offers delivery in as little as 30 minutes for eligible items under 5 pounds, with Prime members paying nothing for orders over $50. But videos of past drone incidents and noise complaints from existing operations in Texas are intensifying scrutiny over safety and quality of life.
How Amazon's Westborough Hub Would Work
Amazon's proposed Massachusetts facility would serve a 13-town delivery zone spanning Worcester, Grafton, Millbury, Upton, Hopkinton, Southborough, Marlborough, Berlin, Boylston, West Boylston, Shrewsbury, Northborough and Westborough. The MK30 drone can carry packages up to 5 pounds—covering nearly 60% of Amazon's most-purchased items. Community Advocate reported that local residents have raised concerns about noise, safety, and effects on neighborhoods and outdoor spaces.
Amazon told Westborough residents that drone noise would be loudest during takeoff. The company said a single drone delivery would not be audible if a garbage truck were passing on the same residential street. The Westborough Planning Board can review facility site plans but cannot approve or reject flight operations. Massachusetts' Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division still must approve the landing area.
Noise Complaints Already Emerging in Richardson, Texas
Amazon's drone delivery is already operating in Richardson, Texas—and residents are not happy. CBS News reported that the drone service is causing constant noise complaints from nearby homeowners who say it has become a frequent and disruptive presence over their homes. TechSpot noted that local authorities have limited options to stop the operations, leaving residents frustrated by what they call "a nuisance."
The Richardson facility demonstrates Amazon's willingness to operate drones in residential areas despite neighbor complaints. This real-world experience is now fueling resistance to similar plans in Massachusetts, Oregon, and Florida. Local residents are organizing to voice concerns before Amazon launches operations in their communities.
Expansion Plans in Portland and Tallahassee Taking Shape
Amazon is pursuing a delivery center in Portland, Oregon, by discussing options at an existing fulfillment site. The company has also begun hiring ground-handler roles in Tallahassee, Florida, signaling a likely expansion there. No launch dates have been announced for either location, but job postings suggest Amazon is moving forward with site preparation and staffing.
The pricing model remains consistent across all Prime Air operations: Prime members pay nothing for drone delivery on orders over $50, or $2.99 for smaller purchases. Non-Prime customers pay $4.99 per delivery. Amazon's goal of reaching nearly 500 cities by 2026 depends on securing local approvals and managing community opposition wherever facilities are proposed.
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