Amazon has confirmed the discontinuation of its Prime Air drone delivery operations in Lockeford, California, marking the end of its second U.S. drone delivery site after College Station, Texas. The company announced these operations in June 2022.

Amazon has not provided specific details regarding the reason for this decision but stated that current employees will be offered opportunities at other sites. The company will continue serving customers in Lockeford using alternative delivery methods and expressed gratitude to the community for its support and feedback.

Delivery operations in College Station will continue, and Amazon plans to launch a new site in Tolleson, Arizona later this year to offer same-day deliveries to customers in that area. Amazon will inform affected customers once the service becomes operational, although specific timing is pending negotiations with local officials and the FAA for airspace deployment.

The expansion of Amazon’s drone delivery service has been slow due to regulatory challenges. Tolleson will be the only new site added this year, with further expansion news delayed until 2025. It remains uncertain whether Amazon will resume drone operations in California.

Amazon reaffirmed its commitment to innovation by introducing medication deliveries in College Station last year, providing select Amazon Pharmacy orders to customers within an hour.

Local governments view partnerships with Amazon as an opportunity to showcase openness to technological innovation outside of major tech hubs like San Francisco or New York.