Amazon plans to enhance Prime Air drone delivery, aiming for 30 million customers and 500 million packages annually by 2030, says CEO Andy Jassy.
Amazon will ramp up Prime Air drone capacity this year as part of a push to deliver orders within minutes, CEO Andy Jassy said in his annual letter to shareholders, reported American Shipper.
Jassy stated that Prime Air will serve 30 million customers by year-end, with the capacity to deliver 500 million packages annually by the end of the decade in under 30 minutes. This expansion is supported by more than 85 same-day fulfillment centers carrying Amazon's top 90,000 products.
Amazon has already delivered more than 500 million same-day packages in 2026. New drone operations will begin in the southern suburbs of Chicago this spring, with each site hosting 12 to 20 MK30 drones. The aircraft weigh 83 pounds, carry up to five pounds, and cruise at 73 mph.
Prime Air has recently launched in Kansas City, San Antonio, Waco, Detroit, Dallas-Fort Worth, Tampa, and Tolleson, Arizona. Additionally, Amazon is testing ultra-fast ground delivery in India, the UAE, Seattle, and Philadelphia, with plans for expansion in Europe.
The company is investing US$4 billion to expand rural delivery, aiming to reach 13,000 zip codes and add one billion packages annually. This initiative has led to a 20 percent cut in parcels tendered to the US Postal Service under a new contract.
Analysts warn that ultra-fast delivery carries higher costs and lower margins. Some retailers are offering slower shipping options, arguing that most customers do not need same-day service. Critics say Amazon has conditioned consumers to expect instant delivery without paying a premium.
