Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Is Amazon Planning a Flying Warehouse?

An Amazon patent filing surfaced on Dec. 28 describing an airborne fulfillment center for the company’s drone delivery system, according to a report by CNBC.

by Staff
December 30, 2016
Is Amazon Planning a Flying Warehouse?

Photo: Amazon

2 min to read


Photo: Amazon

An amazon patent filing surfaced on Dec. 28 describing an airborne fulfillment center for the company’s drone delivery system, according to a report by CNBC.

Ad Loading...

An illustration depicts an airship floating above the city at 45,000 feet from which the drones would fly down to deliver packages. The patent also mentioned possible uses including delivering food and other items to fans at a stadium.

Ad Loading...

Whether or not the plan is feasible may be up for debate. The logistics of placing a large blimp thousands of feet above a populated area for long periods of time would require regulatory approval, not to mention the fact that Amazon’s drone delivery system is still in its infancy.

Other details of the patent filing include rudimentary plans for midair refueling and restocking from aircraft that could dock with the airship.

The patent was actually approved way back in April 2016 but was not publicized by Amazon at the time. An analyst from CB Insights, which covers the venture capital and angel investment world, posted an image from the filing onto her Twitter account on Dec. 28.

I just unearthed the Death Star of #ecommerce via @cbinsights... AMZN patent for airborne warehouses at 45K ft spitting out delivery drones pic.twitter.com/qEz2ilUtJP

— Zoe Leavitt (@zoe_leavitt) December 28, 2016

The plan itself may never actually come to fruition; many technology companies file for patents as a way of protecting potential ideas. Sometimes the ideas are never followed through on, or they are just a piece of a larger plan that changes over time.

Ad Loading...

Amazon’s drones have already been tested while being launched from a traditional, ground-based delivery truck. In the U.K. earlier this month, Amazon officially delivered its first package by drone and the company said that it expected to expand trials in the near future.

More Operations

Amalgamation of fleet operating costs for 2026
Operations•by Chris Brown•November 1, 2026

Managing Fleet Costs in an Era of Permanent Volatility

Fleet operating costs have risen more than 20% since 2020, raising a key question: When does extending a vehicle's service life stop making financial sense?

Read More →
An Automotive Fleet podcast thumbnail
Operations•October 29, 2026

The Next Evolution of Fleet Management: Autonomous Operations

This opening keynote session at the Fleet Forward Conference highlights the future of autonomous driving for fleets.

Read More →
A picture of a transparent catalytic converter with blue text and the Automotive Fleet logo on the top.
Operations•October 29, 2026

How to Reduce the Total Cost of Risk From Catalytic Converter Theft

A stolen catalytic converter can cost fleets far more in downtime and lost productivity than in repairs. A total-cost-of-risk approach can help fleet managers quantify their exposure and prioritize theft prevention.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
AF news recap thumbnail
Operations•by Faith Howell•October 26, 2026

Personal-Use Charges Rise as Vehicle Values Fall | AF News Recap

Personal-use charges are climbing, wholesale used-vehicle values are declining, and commercial fleet sales growth is slowing. This week, we're breaking down the latest fleet data, plus how Element Fleet Management is helping Waymo prepare for its first Canadian robotaxi market.

Read More →
A transparent blue background of a hand stamping a paper is the background of text that says "What about fleet policy exceptions?" with the Automotive Fleet logo in the bottom right corner.
Operations•by Faith Howell•October 20, 2026

Here's When You Should Make an Exception to Fleet Policy

Fleet policies are designed to create consistency, but not every driver or situation fits neatly within standard rules.

Read More →
A hand writing on an ipad with a transparent AI graphic over it
Operations•October 20, 2026

AI-Native or AI-Acquired: What Should Fleet Managers Look for in an AI Platform?

Six questions can help fleet managers look beyond AI marketing claims to evaluate integration, data access, and real-world operational performance.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Chevin 2026 Buyes Guide cover
Sponsored•October 14, 2026

A buyer's guide to fleet management software in 2027

Buying fleet management software in 2027 means looking beyond features and price. As fleet operations, technology and expectations evolve, this guide explores what today’s fleet professionals should consider when choosing a system that can deliver value now and adapt to what comes next.

Read More →
An overhead image of a freeway system with no vehicles
Sponsored•by Shelley Mika•October 13, 2026

What Will Shape the Next Era of Fleet Management?

EVs, AI, and autonomous vehicles are reshaping fleet management. Discover what’s ahead—and how fleet leaders can prepare for the next era.

Read More →
A Cox Fleet technician working on the left with the rear view of a military man saluting a flag on the right
Operations•October 8, 2026

How Fleets Can Recruit and Train Veterans for Technician Roles

Here's how the technician shortage has affected uptime for fleets, and what to do about it.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A transparent toll background with the Automotive Fleet logo and Neology logo on top.
Operations•October 5, 2026

Avis Budget Group Deploys Neology Toll Management Technology Across Major Brands

Neology’s neoFleet platform will manage toll transactions and toll-authority operations for vehicles across Avis, Budget, Payless, Budget Truck and Zipcar.

Read More →