Amazon Prime Air Drone Delivery Nears Reality in Italy with ENAC Partnership

In a significant step toward modernizing logistics, Amazon Prime Air and Italy’s Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) met on June 19, 2025, to advance drone delivery operations in San Salvo, Italy. The coordination meeting, led by ENAC President Pierluigi Di Palma and Director General Alexander D’Orsogna, signals Italy’s push to integrate drone technology into its aviation framework, promising faster, sustainable deliveries.

Pioneering Drone Delivery in San Salvo

The San Salvo project, located in the Chieti province, is a testing ground for Amazon’s drone delivery ambitions. The initiative aims to deliver packages weighing up to 5 pounds over distances of about 9 miles, using electric drones designed for efficiency and low environmental impact. ENAC has established two “sandbox” environments to rigorously test these operations, ensuring compliance with safety standards outlined in its recent technical regulation.

President Di Palma emphasized the project’s transformative potential: “This project, which only yesterday appeared ambitious and futuristic, assumes today a character of concreteness, marking an important milestone in the innovation path of the sector and responding to the technological growth objectives of the country.” This aligns with Italy’s goal to lead in urban air mobility, leveraging drones for practical, public-benefit services.

Safety and Regulatory Framework

Safety remains paramount. ENAC’s sandbox approach allows controlled testing to validate drone performance, navigation, and collision avoidance systems. These tests, conducted under real-world conditions, will refine operational protocols before commercial rollout. Director General D’Orsogna underscored this cautious strategy: “We are proceeding with the program of tests in the sandboxes to guarantee the highest safety standards. These tests will allow us to define the next steps toward the start of commercial operations following a gradual and controlled approach.”

The regulatory framework supports scalability, with ENAC’s rules ensuring drones operate within designated corridors, avoiding restricted airspace. This structured oversight positions Italy as a leader in safe, sustainable drone integration.

Industry and Economic Implications

Amazon’s drone program could reshape e-commerce logistics, reducing delivery times to under 30 minutes for eligible orders. The use of electric drones aligns with sustainability goals, cutting carbon emissions compared to traditional van deliveries. Economically, the project could create jobs in drone maintenance, software development, and operations management, boosting San Salvo’s local economy.

For drone professionals, the initiative highlights the growing demand for expertise in unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Operators will need skills in remote piloting, data analysis, and regulatory compliance, opening opportunities for training programs and certifications. The project also sets a precedent for other European nations, potentially accelerating global adoption of drone delivery.

Next Steps for Amazon and ENAC

The meeting, attended by Amazon’s Vice President David Carbon and ENAC’s key directors, focused on aligning technical and regulatory milestones. Upcoming tests will assess drone reliability over San Salvo’s 9-mile (15-kilometer) range, with results shaping the timeline for commercial launches. Success here could expand Amazon Prime Air to other Italian regions, enhancing delivery networks nationwide.

Italy’s collaboration with Amazon underscores its commitment to aviation innovation. As Di Palma noted, this project positions Italian civil aviation as a “trailblazer of the third dimension of flight,” capable of delivering cutting-edge, sustainable services. For drone enthusiasts and professionals, San Salvo represents a glimpse into the future of logistics, where drones redefine speed and efficiency.

You can read more news stories about delivery by drone right here on DroneXL.

Photos courtesy of Amazon / ENAC