Amazon cleared to begin testing of drones for online deliveries

American electronic commerce company Amazon has been cleared to begin the testing of drones for online deliveries by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

According to the BBC, the FAA had granted Amazon a certificate for people with pilot's licenses to test the unmanned aircraft. The drones must be flown at 400 feet or below during daylight hours, and must remain within the sight of the pilot.

Also the internet retail giant must also provide data on the number of flights conducted and any other relevant information on a monthly basis.

Amazon announced that it was going to begin trialing delivery to some customers by drone in December 2013.

Meanwhile, Chinese internet giant Alibaba, Google and parcel service UPS are among other companies carrying out more private trials of drones.

Operating drones for commercial purposes is illegal in the United States.