Amazon Prime Drone Delivery in College Station Still Up in the Air

By Karley Cross and Anna Maynard

Published: Aug. 1, 2024 at 7:38 PM CDT | Updated: 4 hours ago

COLLEGE STATION, Texas

– The City of College Station alongside Amazon are at an ongoing phase to introduce Prime Air in the area. Residents have expressed various concerns and questions about the service and its impact.

A virtual meeting was held recently where Matt McCardle and Sarah Rith from Amazon, and Michael Ostrowski, College Station’s Chief Development Officer, tried to quell the anxieties that abounded from potential neighbouring homeowners of a Prime Air Facility.

Amazon’s Assurances

During the meeting, Amazon confirmed that it would be willing to put into writing that drone flights would take place no more than four times per hour. The City of College Station stated:

“As the City, we strive to work with our partners in industry and citizens to make sure that the developments within the city are successful and provide a positive impact. We have also been, and continue to be, a place that fosters innovation. With this, community feedback and adjustments are a critical part of that process.”

As for the location of the new Prime Air facility in College Station, nothing has been pinpointed yet, as both the City and Amazon are still exploring potential options.

Noise Pollution Concerns

One of the primary concerns from residents is the issue of noise pollution. To address this concern, the Prime Air Drone Delivery Center (PADDC) confirmed that its operations will be kept to a bare minimum of four per hour. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also added that these operations would only take place between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Sam Stephenson, spokesperson for Amazon, reassured the public that local feedback significantly influences their operational decisions for Prime Air.

“We take local feedback into account wherever possible when making operational decisions for Prime Air. As our program evolves, we’re considering a variety of potential paths forward – including the possibility of alternate sites.”

Stephenson assured that the decisions shared by Prime Air were made prior to the meeting. The Draft Environmental Assessment of Amazon Prime Air Drone Package Delivery Operations in College Station, Texas is available for public viewing. A public comment period wrapped up on July 12.

The story surrounding the introduction of Amazon Prime Air in College Station will continue to be closely monitored.