Amazon Drone Delivery Service The Focus Of Community Meet-and-Greet In Tinley Park

TINLEY PARK, IL — Ahead of Amazon launching its drone delivery service in the south suburbs, the e-commerce giant invites community members to an informational meet and greet session Monday, March 2.

Amazon announced earlier this month that it will soon start using drones to deliver packages to some customers in Chicago's south suburbs as soon as this summer. The company said the 83-pound Prime Air drones will take off from the Markham and Matteson fulfillment centers, and deliver packages to customers who select the option and live in an eight-mile radius, including Tinley Park, Midlothian, Homewood, Flossmoor, Dolton, Blue Island, Chicago Heights and Country Club Hills.

"Since launching in 2022, we’ve been delivering packages weighing up to five pounds to customers in under 60 minutes," Amazon said in a news release. "Our service has expanded from household essentials to include medications, smartphones, and tens of thousands of other eligible items customers need and want fast, integrating drone deliveries into Amazon's broader fulfillment network. From prescription deliveries to household essentials, these operations are already improving lives. We believe drone delivery will bring the convenient and safe delivery options that customers have come to expect from Amazon to new heights."

As of May 2025, Amazon drones are capable of delivering over 60,000 items, according to its website. Drone delivery is limited to items about the size of a shoebox and no more than roughly five pounds, according to WROK News Talk.

Customers can input their delivery drop-off location in the Amazon app, and delivery times are accurate within five minutes, the company touts. Amazon says that once a drone arrives at a delivery point, it descends to approximately 13 feet above the ground—low enough to deliver an item safely and securely. The drone also ensures the delivery area is clear of pets, cars, or people before it delivers.

The service uses a 75-minute forward-looking weather service to determine if a drone delivery should be available in the next hour, Amazon said on its website. If weather conditions make delivery impossible, the service won't appear as an option.

"From tapping the 'place your order' button to seeing the item delivered, the entire process takes 60 minutes or less," the company's website describes. "So, if you realize you need more sunscreen or forgot you needed more batteries, but don’t have time to make a trip to the store, Amazon has you covered."

Attendees at the March 2 event will see a static version of Prime Air's MK30 drone—the technology delivering thousands of items to customers with "ultra-fast delivery," Prime Air describes.

"Whether you're curious about how it works, interested in the possibilities of drone delivery, or ready to explore the future of delivery," organizers wrote, "our team is here to answer your questions and share more about the service coming to Markham, Matteson and surrounding communities."

The meet-and-greet event will be held at the Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Dr., from 3 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 2. It's free to attend. Light bites and refreshments will be served.