Amazon officially launches Prime Air drone delivery service in south suburbs

Amazon Amazon officially launches Prime Air drone delivery service in south suburbs Amazon officially launched Prime Air drone delivery service from Markham to Tinley Park, Midlothian, Homewood, Flossmoor, Dolton and Blue Island. WLS By Cate Cauguiran Tuesday, November 10, 2026 11:20PM Share MARKHAM, Ill. (WLS) -- Amazon has officially launched its Prime Air drone delivery service in the Chicago area, with drones now delivering eligible packages from the company's fulfillment center in Markham to customers across parts of the south suburbs. The company celebrated the launch Tuesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Markham Mayor Roger Agpawa, city officials and Amazon representatives. While Amazon says the service has been operating since Oct. 12, Tuesday marked its official public launch celebration. ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch Amazon says Prime Air is designed to deliver everyday essentials and other eligible items directly to customers' homes, with some orders arriving in as little as 30 minutes. Products available through the service include items such as diapers, baby supplies, over-the-counter medications, pet care products and household essentials. Customers within a 7.5-mile radius of the Markham fulfillment center are eligible for the service, covering communities including Tinley Park, Midlothian, Homewood, Flossmoor, Dolton and Blue Island, among others. According to Amazon, more than 20 drones operate from the Markham facility during daytime hours. "We transit from our fulfillment center, fly between 200 and 400 feet to the customer, descend to 13 feet, release your package in the backyard where you've selected, and then return back for a fully charged battery and the next customer order," said Sam Bailey, Amazon's senior manager for economic development. Bailey said the Markham location is Amazon's first Prime Air drone delivery center in Illinois. He said the company began discussions with the city roughly a year ago before working with local officials and the Federal Aviation Administration to secure approvals for the operation. Prime Air operates under an FAA Part 135 air carrier certificate, according to Amazon. The company says the drones are monitored by on-site flight personnel and are designed to avoid obstacles and other aircraft while operating in federally regulated airspace. Safety was one of the major topics raised during Tuesday's event. Chicago-area weather forecast this week could include 1st snowfall of season 1 hour ago Round Lake mother, longtime green card holder, released on bond after 15 months in ICE custody 15 minutes ago Thomas Markle, father of Meghan, cut off his ankle monitor, DOJ says "If one of the kids runs out across the delivery point, the drone would sense that movement. It would cancel delivery, return to the fulfillment center, and notify the customer that there was an obstruction," Bailey said. Amazon says the drones are equipped with multiple safety systems, including obstacle-detection technology designed to prevent deliveries when people, pets or other objects are in the drop zone. Agpawa praised the launch as both a convenience for residents and a sign of continued investment in the south suburbs. "This is just the modern age of shopping, and you can't beat it when you can get something in an hour or two and never leave home and you order and it drops in your backyard," Agpawa said. Amazon says Prime Air also creates new jobs to support operations, including FAA-certified drone operators, maintenance personnel and ground support roles. Not everyone sees the technology the same way. Resident MiChele Brown-Thomas said she is less concerned about the drones themselves and more focused on what increasing automation could mean for workers. "My concern is jobs. How many people are going to lose their jobs?" Brown-Thomas said. Amazon says the service allows Prime members to receive free drone delivery on orders of $50 or more, while smaller orders cost $2.99. Customers without a Prime membership pay $4.99 for drone delivery. The company says it plans to launch a second Prime Air drone delivery center in Matteson in the coming days. Report a correction or typo Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved. 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