Amazon’s Delivery Drones Spark Backlash in Texas Suburb

Residents of Richardson, Texas, say Amazon’s delivery drones have taken over their daily lives since the city approved the Prime Air program’s zoning last December. The drones, which weigh 83 pounds and can carry loads up to five pounds within a roughly seven-mile range, descend to about 13 feet during drop-offs and hover as packages fall onto driveways and lawns.

Residents Describe Constant Noise

According to reporting cited from The New York Times, one homeowner counted dozens of drone flights in a single day, and neighbors describe near-continuous buzzing from early morning into the evening. Nikki Anderson, whose backyard has been disrupted by the flights, said the noise has made everyday outdoor life difficult. This isn’t the program’s only setback — Amazon temporarily halted Prime Air flights earlier in 2026 following a midair collision between two drones in Arizona before resuming operations.

Amazon Defends the Program’s Track Record

Amazon maintains that the backlash is limited. Company spokeswoman Lindsay Hamilton said customer feedback has largely been favorable, with noise-related complaints making up under 1% of inquiries. Still, some fixes have backfired: when resident Kristi Graham asked Amazon to stop flying drones over her backyard, the company rerouted them over her front entrance instead.

Amazon intends to bring Prime Air to 500 towns and cities by year’s end, part of a broader boom in drone traffic. The FAA estimates the number of drones in U.S. skies could grow from roughly 897,000 today to more than 3.5 million by 2030. That growth has also raised privacy worries among residents, who question how much the airborne cameras can see into their yards and homes as the delivery fleet expands nationwide.