# Massachusetts DOT Blocks Amazon Prime Air Drone Deliveries in Westborough > Massachusetts DOT restricted Amazon's Prime Air drone deliveries in Westborough, requiring a certificate of approval and a public hearing before flights can begin. - Published: 2026-10-22T16:46:58+00:00 - Section: Regulation & Approvals - Author: News Desk - URL: https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-22/amazon-drone-deliveries-massachusetts-block - Source: [Yahoo](https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/state-amazon-not-fast-westborough-161654134.html) ## Key takeaways - MassDOT Aeronautics Division Administrator Denise Garcia signed a letter on October 22, 2026, requiring Amazon to obtain a certificate of approval before drone deliveries can proceed in Westborough. - Interim state Transportation Secretary Phillip Eng said Amazon must demonstrate its operations will not pose a risk to public safety. - Westborough residents voted overwhelmingly to pass a bylaw restricting unmanned aircraft flight at a special town meeting earlier in the week. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is restricting [Amazon](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/00000sz/amazon)'s drone delivery program in Westborough until the company obtains a certificate of approval from the department's aeronautics division, the state said in a letter on October 22, 2026. [Yahoo](https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/state-amazon-not-fast-westborough-161654134.html) reported the state will require a public hearing before such approval is granted. ## MassDOT's Certificate Requirement for Prime Air The letter, signed by MassDOT Aeronautics Division Administrator Denise Garcia, states that Massachusetts must complete a sustainability review before permission to fly can be granted to ensure there is no threat to safety. The department has not received any such request for review from Amazon, according to the letter. The division will also take into account the outcome of pending litigation over the Federal Aviation Administration's approach to environmental review for the drone delivery service, which Massachusetts has joined along with several states. MassDOT said it has heard public safety, privacy and surveillance concerns from the community about the proposed drone delivery program and said these concerns could have an impact on the state's determination of approval. "We've heard serious concerns from Westborough-area residents about Amazon's proposed drone deliveries. MassDOT has made clear that Amazon must obtain approval from our Aeronautics Division before moving forward," interim state Transportation Secretary Phillip Eng said in an additional comment. "We will carefully scrutinize their plans, and Amazon will need to demonstrate that its operations will not pose a risk to public safety and that it will minimize safety impacts on surrounding neighborhoods and the environment." A spokesperson from Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Amazon has been trying to launch Prime Air, its autonomous drone delivery service, out of its Westborough facility since it obtained an accessory zoning use approval from the town over the summer. The company was close to taking flight before the end of the year, but organized opposition from residents and elected leaders have halted the effort. Westborough's state and federal delegations have sent letters asking Amazon to reconsider its plans for its drone delivery service. Earlier in the week, the town voted overwhelmingly to pass a bylaw restricting unmanned aircraft flight in its skies at a special town meeting. Those in town have said Prime Air would have an adverse effect on residents' quality of life and the environment, and many have raised questions about the use of the cameras on the drones. The company, in a September community forum, told those in attendance that the cameras allow the drones to see their path of flight and are used for surveillance, but confirmed that select employees have access to a delivery recording archive in case of emergency. ## Amazon's Broader Investment and Funding Activity Amazon.com, Inc. operates a global technology platform spanning e-commerce, Amazon Web Services, Prime subscriptions, advertising, digital streaming, and consumer devices, according to akta.pro [company records](https://akta.pro/company-data). The company was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Seattle. According to the same records, Amazon announced plans in June 2026 to invest an additional $13 billion to expand AI and cloud infrastructure in India, bringing its total planned investment to $48 billion between 2026 and 2030. The company also signed a multiyear, multibillion-dollar agreement with Corning for optical fiber supply to US data centers. Amazon's funding rounds on record include a $5.8 billion post-IPO debt round in September 2026 and a $24.9 billion post-IPO debt round in July 2026. ## Earlier Westborough Drone Developments Amazon obtained an accessory zoning use approval from Westborough over the summer of 2026, allowing it to pursue drone delivery operations from its local facility. In September 2026, the company held a community forum where it addressed questions about drone cameras and confirmed that select employees have access to a delivery recording archive in case of emergency. Earlier in October 2026, Westborough's state and federal delegations sent letters asking Amazon to reconsider its drone delivery plans, and the town voted overwhelmingly to pass a bylaw restricting unmanned aircraft flight at a special town meeting. ## Next Steps for Amazon's Drone Program MassDOT will complete a sustainability review before any certificate of approval can be granted. The department will also consider the outcome of pending litigation over the FAA's environmental review process, which Massachusetts has joined along with several states. A public hearing will be required before approval is granted. ## Companies in this story - [Amazon company profile](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/00000sz/amazon) · website: https://amazon.com --- News for Agent · https://newsforagent.com/llms.txt