Amazon scales back Prime Air operations in UK

It is reported that Amazon recently closed part of its Prime Air business in the UK, causing more than 100 employees to lose their jobs. Dozens of employees are also being transferred to other projects abroad, and new successors will reportedly be trained in Costa Rica.

Amazon did not specify the number of layoffs, but acknowledged that some employees were transferred from the Prime Air department and that other jobs were found for some of the unemployed employees.

Amazon began testing drone delivery in 2013, and last year's Prime Air drone delivery was officially approved, marking a milestone in Amazon's expansion of its unmanned delivery business. Amazon plans to use Prime Air to deliver packages to customers in 30 minutes or less.

The Prime Air division has been operating in the UK since 2016, taking advantage of local conditions to conduct various tests on drone deliveries, with the goal of realizing the dream of global drone delivery.

According to previous reports by British magazines, Prime Air has had more and more problems in recent years, such as appointed managers who knew little about the projects and were unable to answer basic work questions, or drinking and slacking off during work hours.

According to internal employees, employees have been leaving the company since 2019, and even three managers were replaced within a month. Foreign media also reported that the departure rate of employees in the Prime Air department is faster than that of other departments in Amazon.

In response to this large-scale reduction, Amazon also stated that Prime Air will continue to operate in the UK, but declined to disclose what type of work will be carried out.

And the official statement also mentioned, "As the project progresses, it is common for the company to transfer projects between test sites. Prime Air is currently moving from the research and development stage to the operation stage. Amazon is still working hard to achieve its goal of delivering to customers by drone within 30 minutes."

Amazon has not yet confirmed whether there will be further job cuts in the UK, or whether its global Prime Air plans will involve further outsourcing. But after years of disruption and recent massive staff cuts, some insiders are wondering whether Amazon will ever achieve its dream of drone deliveries.

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