Report: Amazon Drone Delivery Program Executive Departs Company

Amazon’s drone delivery program has reportedly lost Sean Cassidy, its head of safety, flight operations and regulatory affairs.

Cassidy played a crucial role in obtaining regulatory approvals for the expansion of the program and was Amazon’s primary liaison with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), CNBC reported Monday (Dec. 11). His departure from the company follows earlier layoffs and regulatory setbacks for the program.

Amazon did not immediately reply to PYMNTS’ request for comment.

Despite these challenges, Amazon’s drone program achieved an important milestone in October when the FAA relaxed restrictions on the operation of its drones, according to the report. This change allowed Amazon to have more flexibility in how and where its drones can fly.

However, the program has not progressed as quickly as Amazon’s founder, Jeff Bezos, had originally predicted, the report said. Ten years ago, Bezos anticipated a fleet of Amazon drones delivering packages within five years.

Cassidy’s departure is another setback for the drone program, which has faced obstacles in meeting its delivery goals, per the report. The program has also experienced the loss of other key executives in the past, further complicating its operations.

However, Amazon has made progress in testing drone deliveries in two small markets in California and Texas, according to the report. Since December 2022, the company has safely delivered hundreds of household items in College Station, Texas, using its drones.

To expand the drone program, Amazon has been actively collaborating with the FAA to address safety concerns and operational limitations, the report said. Cassidy had requested permission for Amazon’s drones to fly out of sight of a visual observer, as the company had developed a “detect-and-avoid” system. The FAA granted this request in October, allowing Amazon’s drones to operate over roadways and cars when necessary.

However, the program has faced setbacks, including a recent crash at Amazon’s drone test site in Oregon, per the report. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident, which resulted in significant damage to the drone.

Rival retailer Walmart is also taking to the skies. Walmart is expanding the drone delivery service it began two years ago, having already fulfilled over 10,000 deliveries across seven states and 36 stores.