Amazon drone delivery still up in the air for West Deptford
Officials say Amazon still needs to apply for FAA clearance.
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Amazon is exploring drone deliveries in West Deptford, but officials say they won’t be taking off anytime soon.
Emergency officials in West Deptford attended a meeting last week to discuss plans for Amazon’s drone delivery expansion.
“We are aware of residents’ concerns regarding information that came from Amazon’s exploratory efforts, and local emergency officials have been in contact with Amazon to confirm the details that residents deserve to understand,” officials said in a social media post.
According to the township, Amazon can’t operate drones from its West Deptford fulfillment center because it doesn’t have the necessary FAA approvals. Amazon officials told the township that they are “in the early stages of diligence for a proposed Prime Air drone delivery operation.” Amazon is working to obtain the necessary local airspace approvals, but as of now, it’s unable to confirm any operating areas, locations or timelines for when drone deliveries might begin.
On a local level, the township said Amazon still needs to obtain approval from local planning or zoning boards. When that happens, meetings between Amazon and the local boards to discuss the application will be open to the public.
“In our discussion with Amazon, they have also agreed to public information sessions and community engagement efforts before they begin,” the township said.
The information sessions will take place either at the RiverWinds Community Center or the West Deptford Municipal Building.
