Amazon's Prime Air drone delivery service is set to launch in the UK by late 2024, having received approval to begin trials.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is organizing the trials, selecting Amazon among six organizations to test beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone flights.

The CAA aims to gather safety data on drone navigation, aircraft detection, and communication with air traffic control to inform future drone policies and regulations.

Sophie O'Sullivan, CAA director of future flight, emphasized that these trials are a significant step toward safely integrating drones into UK airspace.

David Carbon, vice president of Prime Air, stressed the need for clear regulatory requirements to support the scaling of drone delivery technologies in the UK.

Amazon's MK30 drone, which will be deployed in the UK, features advanced 'sense and avoid' technology and can carry packages weighing up to approximately 2.2 kg.

The trials will focus on how drones can avoid collisions with other aircraft and how they can be made visible to air traffic control.

The retail industry is closely watching this development, as it could significantly disrupt traditional delivery models and redefine last-mile logistics.

While Prime Air has launched in the U.S., it has faced regulatory challenges and delays, which have hindered its expansion.

Currently, Amazon does not have permission to operate drones in the UK, highlighting the importance of regulatory clarity for its delivery services.

Following the announcement of the UK trials, Amazon's shares experienced an intraday increase of nearly 4%.

Despite previously scaling back its UK drone operations in 2021, Amazon is now reinvigorated by recent regulatory changes and the upcoming trials.