E-commerce giant Amazon has completed the preliminary trial of delivery drone services in Italy - a significant step towards launching its Prime Air service in Europe, Reuters has reported.  

The retailer performed the trial on 4 December in the town of San Salvo in the central Abruzzo region, deploying its new MK-30 drone.

This highly automated system utilises “sense and avoid” technology to navigate safely around obstacles, protecting people, pets and property.  

The MK30 operates more quietly than earlier models, with Prime Air’s flight science team designing the propellers to cut the perceived noise level by almost 50%.  

It offers an enhanced range - twice as far as previous models - and hence is able to serve more customers. 

The retailer is working closely with the Italian authorities to fulfil all requirements to introduce the service in 2025. 

Amazon was quoted by the news agency as saying: "Amazon delivery drones flew for the first time in Italian skies on 4 December 2024. The test flight was made with the new MK-30 drone, the highly automated drone system that uses the industry-leading Amazon computer vision programme. 

"This allows drones to move safely away from obstacles [... and helps] to keep [them] separate from other aircraft in the operational area." 

The successful trial follows the retailer’s announcement in October 2024 that it would begin delivering packages via drone in Britain, Italy and a third US location, expanding its airborne delivery programme. 

In Britain, the aviation regulator has selected six projects, including one by Amazon, to test drones for deliveries and emergency services.  

First launched in December 2022, Amazon’s Prime Air drone package deliveries are now operational in select US locations and are expected to expand gradually. 

In April 2024, the retailer announced a planned drone delivery service in Arizona, US towards the end of the year.