Amazon Resurrects Drone Delivery Dream with Massive Expansion Plans

Amazon's long-sought dream of using drones for delivery is still alive and well, despite being delayed by over a decade. Thirteen years ago, CEO Jeff Bezos predicted that Amazon would be delivering packages via drone within four to five years. While the company has yet to meet this target, it has announced plans to expand its drone network to nearly 500 U.S. cities and towns by the end of the year.

The expansion represents a sixfold increase in Amazon's drone delivery footprint, with tens of millions of customers set to benefit from the service. The company will be delivering items weighing five pounds or less that can fit in a large shoebox, free for Prime members who spend $50 or more, and at a cost of $2.99 for non-Prime members.

While Amazon has faced regulatory hurdles and technical challenges in developing its drone delivery system, it appears to be making progress. The company's current drone operations include San Antonio, Texas; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Kansas City, Kansas; and eight other areas, with hundreds of thousands of packages already delivered via drone this year.