Global retail giant Amazon has been given the go-ahead to begin making deliveries by drones, initially with up to 10 flights an hour within the Darlington, County Durham, test area.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has approved changes to airspace rules in the area around Darlington, where the company plans to offer the service to ‘drop’ parcels into customers’ gardens, reported The Telegraph newspaper.

But while Amazon could launch the service now, the company has yet to announce a date for the maiden flights. They will, however, operate from a local warehouse, 12 hours a day, seven days a week, delivering packages in under two hours.

However, the report says Amazon has faced opposition from some local residents over potential noise pollution, and from model aircraft flyers, who warn it could interfere with their hobby.

The flights will take off from a helipad at Amazon’s local distribution centre, with the aircraft flying at between 55 and 85 metres in the air with drones “designed to minimise noise”. It noted that the disruption will be less than the noise produced by delivery drivers.

Amazon added: “This is an exciting step towards bringing drone delivery to customers in Darlington. We’re continuing to work closely with Darlington council and the Civil Aviation Authority on this innovative first for the UK.”

The company had applied to the CAA last March last year and hoped to begin deliveries before Christmas, but the regulator did not confirm approval until recently.

Amazon’s permission for drone flights is temporary, lasting until June, although the company could apply for a 12-month extension, the report noted.

Global retail giant Amazon has been given the go-ahead to begin making deliveries by drones, initially with up to 10 flights an hour within the Darlington, County Durham, test area.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has approved changes to airspace rules in the area around Darlington, where the company plans to offer the service to ‘drop’ parcels into customers’ gardens, reported The Telegraph newspaper.

But while Amazon could launch the service now, the company has yet to announce a date for the maiden flights. They will, however, operate from a local warehouse, 12 hours a day, seven days a week, delivering packages in under two hours.

However, the report says Amazon has faced opposition from some local residents over potential noise pollution, and from model aircraft flyers, who warn it could interfere with their hobby.

The flights will take off from a helipad at Amazon’s local distribution centre, with the aircraft flying at between 55 and 85 metres in the air with drones “designed to minimise noise”. It noted that the disruption will be less than the noise produced by delivery drivers.

Amazon added: “This is an exciting step towards bringing drone delivery to customers in Darlington. We’re continuing to work closely with Darlington council and the Civil Aviation Authority on this innovative first for the UK.”

The company had applied to the CAA last March last year and hoped to begin deliveries before Christmas, but the regulator did not confirm approval until recently.

Amazon’s permission for drone flights is temporary, lasting until June, although the company could apply for a 12-month extension, the report noted.