Amazon has acknowledged earlier reporting by the Financial Times regarding workforce reductions within its Prime Air drone delivery initiative.

According to a statement provided to TechCrunch by spokesperson Kristen Kish, “We are restructuring a limited team within the broader Prime Air organization as part of our standard business practices, to ensure we are optimally positioned to meet customer requirements and business objectives.” Kish further stated that the company is actively assisting impacted personnel in locating suitable positions within other growing areas of Amazon, aligning with their skills and career aspirations.

This announcement mirrors communications from other Amazon divisions that have recently experienced staff reductions, particularly the emphasis on internal redeployment opportunities. It also appears to be a proactive measure to address concerns about the project’s progress. Amazon also affirmed its continued dedication to the Prime Air program.

The original report indicated that numerous positions were eliminated, but Amazon declined to disclose a precise number. It’s not unexpected that this ambitious undertaking, designed to integrate swift aerial deliveries into Amazon’s already extensive delivery network, has faced a lengthy development process.

During last June’s RE:Mars conference, Jeff Wilke, who leads Amazon’s consumer business, stated, “[W]e anticipate a rapid and efficient expansion of Prime Air, leveraging our exceptional fulfillment and delivery infrastructure to deliver packages to customers by drone within a matter of months.”

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the associated health concerns for essential workers present a compelling case for accelerating this launch. However, the program still faces several challenges, encompassing both technological and regulatory considerations. The service received authorization from the FAA to begin testing in August.