Amazon starts drone deliveries in Nampa, reaching part of Boise
- Nampa, Idaho, is the state’s first city with Amazon Prime Air drone delivery; service also reaches some nearby areas and a small portion of Boise.
- Drones launch from Amazon’s Nampa fulfillment center and can deliver within half an hour.
- Coverage extends about 7.5 miles from the site, but homes need suitable open ground for safe package drops.
- Delivery costs vary by membership and order amount; drones carry only small packages.
- The launch followed federal review and certification, and Amazon plans to hire at the Nampa site.
Amazon told KTVB on Friday, Oct. 30 that drone delivery was live in Nampa and some nearby cities. Flights operate from the fulfillment center at 5295 E. Franklin Road, covering roughly 170 square miles and reaching customers within half an hour of ordering. Shoppers can check eligibility by entering a ZIP code on Amazon’s drone-delivery page. Coverage does not guarantee service at a specific home, which must have enough open ground for a safe delivery.
For Prime members, delivery is free on orders of at least $50 and costs $2.99 on smaller orders; nonmembers pay $4.99. The battery-powered drones carry small boxes with items such as diapers, formula, nonprescription medicine, and household or pet supplies. Larger packages remain truck-delivered.
The Federal Aviation Administration certified Prime Air under Part 135. Before the Nampa launch, federal regulators assessed potential effects on noise, scenery, and wildlife under the National Environmental Policy Act, with input from other agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Amazon said the site will hire for engineering, operations, customer support, and safety roles, but has not disclosed the number of jobs. The company also operates drone deliveries in parts of a dozen metro areas, including Phoenix, Detroit, Dallas, Houston, and Chicago.
Sources & Notes
AI helped edit this piece. The author checked the facts and was the final editor.