Amazon announces a plan to expand its drone delivery network to nearly 500 U.S. cities

Amazon said customers could receive the drone deliveries in as fast as 30 minutes.

FILE – An Amazon company logo marks the facade of a building, March 18, 2022, in Schoenefeld near Berlin. [Photo: Michael Sohn/AP Photo]

Millions more people may be able to get smaller, lightweight Amazon packages delivered by drones by the end of the year under a plan the company announced Thursday to expand the airborne shipping to suburban areas in nearly 500 U.S. cities.Customers could receive the drone deliveries in as fast as 30 minutes, Amazon said in a news release. The drones can carry packages up to 5 pounds.The plan will intensify the battle between Amazon and Walmart to provide consumers with the fastest delivery times. Both giants rely on a mix of drones and drivers to deliver everything consumers have ordered.Amazon’s plan would expand its drone delivery operation more than sixfold nationwide into hundreds of new communities, including the Chicago, Atlanta, Cleveland and Boise metro areas. The drones........

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