Amazon Withdraws Westborough Drone Delivery Plan After Local Ban
Amazon withdrew its application for a drone-delivery hub in Westborough, Massachusetts, after residents voted 510-13 to ban commercial delivery drone infrastructure.
Residents of Westborough, Massachusetts, voted 510 to 13 to approve a local bylaw banning commercial delivery drones, prohibiting the establishment of launch pads, landing sites, and staging hubs. The legislation includes a $300 fine for violations and currently awaits routine sign-off from the Massachusetts attorney general’s office.
Following this overwhelming opposition, Amazon Inc. formally withdrew its site plan review application on November 1, 2026. The company had proposed using a parking lot at its Otis Street distribution center as a Prime Air launch site to deliver packages under five pounds within a 7.5-mile radius, with a potential volume of 1,000 deliveries per day. The proposal faced intense pushback from the advocacy group Mass Blue Skies and local residents over noise, privacy, and safety concerns.
While state legislators and local advocates praised the withdrawal, Amazon described the move as a tactical retreat. A company spokesperson stated that Amazon intends to submit a revised proposal after further community engagement. State Senator Michael Moore welcomed the decision but indicated plans to introduce legislation to help other communities address similar technological concerns.
