Amazon Launches Drone Delivery Service in Pontiac, Becoming Third U.S. Market for Prime Air

Amazon kicked off its Prime Air drone delivery service in Pontiac, Michigan over the weekend. The city became the company's third operational U.S. market for autonomous package deliveries. This launch marks the e-commerce giant's first push into the Midwest after fixing technical problems that halted operations earlier this year.

The service runs from facilities next to the fulfillment center. It can deliver packages weighing no more than 5 pounds within a 7- to 8-mile radius. Prime members pay $4.99 per delivery. Non-Prime members pay $9.99.

Customers within the delivery zone will see a "drone delivery" or "60-minute delivery" option at checkout when ordering qualifying items. The MK30 drones drop packages from about 13 feet above ground, eliminating the need for QR code markers required in earlier versions.

The company stopped U.S. operations in January 2025 after multiple crashes at its Oregon testing facility. Altitude sensor issues and safety concerns caused the shutdowns. Operations started again in April after software updates solved problems caused by airborne dust particles affecting sensors.

"This is the future of where delivery is heading, and we want to make sure that Pontiac is at the forefront," said Pontiac City Council President Mike McGuinness during a community event in July 2025, according to CBS Detroit.

The company held a community meet and greet in July 2025 at Lafayette Grande in Pontiac, introducing Metro Detroit residents to the technology already being tested in select U.S. cities. Leaders and city officials stressed the technology is meant to supplement, not replace, the human workforce.

Ian Conyers, head of Community Affairs at Amazon, mentioned the company's presence in the area. "Right here in Pontiac, Michigan, we've had a site in the community for quite a while that are directly supporting your business and making sure that each step, each opportunity, local community members have the opportunity to apply here," said Conyers, as per Dronexl.

The robotics fulfillment center in Pontiac employs over 1,200 associates. McGuinness pointed out how the facilities contribute to the local tax base and fund community improvements.

Prime Air now operates in three U.S. markets: College Station, Texas; Tolleson, Arizona; and Pontiac. The company wants to deliver 500 million packages by drone by 2030. Current operations remain limited compared to that goal.

The MK30 platform has reduced noise levels compared to earlier models and can operate in light rain conditions. The aircraft can travel twice the distance of earlier models while maintaining the same 5-pound payload capacity.

The FAA approved the company in May 2025 for lithium-ion battery product deliveries like iPhones and AirPods, expanding the service's product catalog. The timing of the launch just before the holiday shopping season suggests confidence in the system's reliability after technical fixes.