Amazon receives go-ahead from UK government to test drone delivery

Civil Aviation Authority to supervise the testing of system

Amazon will begin to test its aerial drone parcel delivery system after announcing an agreement with the British government, putting to bed previous issues surrounding the use of the technology.

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The system will be supervised by the Civil Aviation Authority in the UK, and its aims include improving the ability of drones to identify and manoeuvre obstacles in its path.

“We want to enable the innovation that arises from the development of drone technology by safely integrating drones into the overall aviation system,” Tim Johnson, policy director at the CAA, said in the statement. “These tests by Amazon will help inform our policy and future approach.”

The ecommerce giant has recently come in for criticism from the government after apparently failing to inform customers about the safe operation of drones, which amazon denies.

The company praised the government for taking the step forward towards drone use.

“The U.K. is charting a path forward for drone technology that will benefit customers, industry and society,” said Paul Misener, Amazon’s vice president of global innovation policy and communications.

The move comes after the US Federal Aviation Administration's approval of new rules for commercial use of drones, including the guideline that companies keep the aircraft within line of sight.