Amazon drone delivery tests cleared for UK take-off

Etail giant will test drones carrying packages weighing under five pounds in partnership with UK government

Amazon has partnered with the UK government to test how possible it would be to deliver small packages to shoppers via drones.

The internet retail giant has been given permission to test drones carrying deliveries weighing five pounds or less by a cross-government team supported by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Within the partnership Amazon will be able to test beyond line of sight operations in rural and suburban areas, sensor performance to make sure the drones can identify and avoid obstacles, and flights where one person operates multiple highly automated drones.

The three areas of testing are all currently illegal for commercial drones under UK legislation.

If the technology is approved, Amazon will start the drone delivery service under the name Amazon Air.

Paul Misener, Amazon's vice president of global innovation policy and communications, said: "The UK is a leader in enabling drone innovation. We've been investing in Prime Air research and development here for quite some time.

"This announcement strengthens our partnership with the UK and brings Amazon closer to our goal of using drones to safely deliver parcels in 30 minutes to customers in the UK and elsewhere around the world. The UK is charting a path forward for drone technology that will benefit consumers, industry and society."