Wedoany.com Report-Dec.29, Amazon announced on Sunday that it has decided to discontinue its plans for commercial drone delivery services in Italy. The company cited challenges within the broader business regulatory framework as the key reason for ending the initiative.

Despite achieving positive engagement and making solid progress with Italian aerospace regulators, Amazon concluded that the current regulatory environment does not align with the long-term goals of its drone delivery program.

"Following a strategic review, we have decided to stop our commercial drone delivery plans in Italy," Amazon stated.

"Despite positive engagement and progress with Italian aerospace regulators, the broader business regulatory framework in the country does not, at this time, support our longer-term objectives for this program," the company.

The decision follows Amazon's successful completion of initial drone delivery tests in December 2024. Those tests took place in San Salvo, a town located in the central Abruzzo region, and demonstrated technical feasibility under controlled conditions.

Italy's civil aviation authority, ENAC, described the announcement as unexpected. In a statement issued on Saturday, ENAC indicated that the decision appeared to stem from company policy and referenced "recent financial events involving the Group."

Amazon's drone delivery program, known as Prime Air, has been developed over several years with the aim of providing fast, efficient last-mile delivery in select markets. The company has conducted various trials in different countries to test safety, technology, and operational integration.

The pause in Italy represents a strategic adjustment rather than a complete withdrawal from drone technology development. Amazon emphasized that the decision was based on a thorough review of the specific conditions in the Italian market.

Industry observers note that drone delivery operations require coordination across multiple regulatory areas, including aviation safety, privacy, environmental standards, and local business regulations. While aerospace authorities often focus on flight safety and airspace management, broader commercial and operational rules can influence the viability of large-scale deployment.

Amazon continues to operate drone delivery services in other locations where regulatory and business conditions support the program's objectives. The company remains committed to exploring innovative delivery methods to enhance customer experience.

The announcement marks the end of a promising pilot phase in Italy but leaves open the possibility of revisiting the initiative if future regulatory developments create a more favorable environment.