Tag Archives: Amazon Air

Amazon Air opens a new regional air hub at Lakeland, Florida

Amazon Air opened its new Lakeland regional hub in Florida on July 23. The inaugural flight arrived from Sacramento, CA.

Previously in June 2020 the company announced the lease of 12 additional Boeing 767-300 converted cargo aircraft from Air Transport Services Group (ATSG). These aircraft will join Amazon’s existing fleet of 70 aircraft to bring its total network to over 80 aircraft. One of the new aircraft joined Amazon’s air cargo operations in May 2020, with the remaining 11 to be delivered in 2021.

Amazon Air’s fleet expansion comes at a time when people in communities across the country continue to adjust to this unprecedented time, with many relying on having the items they need delivered directly to their doorstep. Amazon Air has played a central role during the COVID-19 pandemic by transporting essential PPE supplies for Amazon associates, frontline health workers and relief organizations across the U.S., all while maintaining capacity for regular cargo operations to ensure customers continue to receive the items they need. Now, with expanded cargo capacity to come, Amazon will continue to meet evolving demand and a growing customer base.

Amazon continues to expand on-the-ground operations in addition to aircraft. Amazon will open new Regional Air Hubs at Lakeland Linder International Airport in Florida and at San Bernardino International Airport next year, along with the central AmazonAir Hub at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in 2021. In May, Amazon Air began Gateway operations at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Austin, Texas, and Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Since Amazon Air’s launch in 2016, Amazon has invested hundreds of millions of dollars and created thousands of new jobs at Amazon Air locations across the U.S.

According to Amazon:

What are Gateway Facilities? These are Air Facilities specifically located to help deliver packages to our Prime customers. The Gateways have dedicated parking spots at an airport in order to facilitate below-wing operations. This includes the offloading of our packages onto the ramp in order to continue to our final mile delivery. Amazon Air provides gateway operations at over 20 airports, making two-day shipping possible almost anywhere in the U.S. Our Gateway Operations team is one of our most developing and growing teams within the space.

Hubs according to Wikipedia:

Amazon partners with GECAS to lease an additional fifteen 737-800 converted freighters

Amazon continues to invest in ways to provide fast, free shipping for customers. Today, at the International Paris Air Show, the company announced a partnership with GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) to lease an additional fifteen Boeing 737-800 cargo aircraft. These fifteen aircraft will be in addition to the five Boeing 737-800’s already leased from GECAS and announced earlier this year. The aircraft will fly in the United States out of the more than 20 air gateways in the Amazon Air network.

“These new aircraft create additional capacity for Amazon Air, building on the investment in our Prime Free One-Day program,” said Dave Clark, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Operations at Amazon. “By 2021, Amazon Air will have a portfolio of 70 aircraft flying in our dedicated air network.”

“We’re delighted to support Amazon Air’s dedicated air network,” said Richard Greener, GECAS Cargo’s Senior Vice President. “The capability of the 737-800 freighter will further Amazon’s ability to provide reliable and regional delivery to its customers for years to come.”

Amazon Air’s operation launched in 2016 supporting package delivery to the rapidly growing number of customers who love fast delivery, affordable prices and vast selection. With advanced algorithms and software used for capacity and route planning, the Amazon Air operation can transport hundreds of thousands of packages per day. Amazon will open new air facilities this year at Fort Worth Alliance Airport, Wilmington Air Park, and Chicago Rockford International Airport. The main Air Hub at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport will open in 2021. Since its launch, Amazon’s air cargo operation has invested millions of dollars and created thousands of new jobs at locations across the U.S.

Amazon has launched several initiatives to ensure fast delivery speeds and supply chain capacity for its customers, including its Delivery Service Partner program, Amazon Flex, the company’s mobile application that allows individuals to sign-up, be vetted and begin delivering for Amazon, a dedicated network of over 10,000 trailers to increase trucking capacity and, now, the expanded fleet of cargo aircraft. These efforts join Amazon’s robust worldwide network of more than 185 fulfillment centers where the company uses high-end algorithms, robotics, machine learning and other technological innovations to increase delivery speeds for customers. Amazon is now bringing the same technological expertise to efforts in the transportation space to increase shipping capacity for customers.

Launching the 737-800 passenger-to-freighter conversion program in 2016 and delivering the inaugural Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) less than one year ago, GECAS has plans to convert at least 50 of this type, providing the capacity for the growing need for cargo air transport. The aircraft are equipped with a rigid cargo barrier and have 12 main deck pallet positions. The aircraft have a maximum structural payload of 23,500 kg (51,800lb) and a maximum range of over 2,100 nautical miles.

Amazon adds 10 additional Boeing 767-300F freighters

Amazon continues to invest in ways to provide fast, free delivery for customers.

Today, the company announced an expansion of its partnership with Air Transport Services Group, Inc. (ATSG) by leasing an additional 10 aircraft to support Amazon’s growth. Amazon previously leased 40 Boeing 767 freighter aircraft in 2016, 20 of those with ATSG, all of which are now flying serving customers in the Amazon Air network.

The 10 additional cargo planes will consist of Boeing 767-300 aircraft, will be operated on Amazon’s behalf by an ATSG airline, and will join the air cargo operation over the next two years.

Amazon Air’s operation launched in 2016 supporting package delivery to the rapidly growing number of customers who love fast delivery, great prices and vast selection. With advanced algorithms and software used for capacity and route planning, the Amazon Air operation can transport hundreds of thousands of packages per day. In addition, with Amazon’s dedicated air network, Amazon is able to deliver packages to its customers faster – 40 aircraft are flying in and out of gateway operations at over 20 airports, making two-day shipping possible almost anywhere in the U.S.

Amazon will open a new Regional Air Hub next year at Fort Worth Alliance Airport, and the Air Hub at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport will open in 2021. Recently, Amazon also announced a gateway operation to launch in Wilmington, Ohio, in 2019 as well as an expanded operation in Rockford, Illinois. Since its launch, Amazon’s air cargo operation has invested millions of dollars and created thousands of new jobs at locations across the U.S.

Amazon has launched several initiatives to ensure fast delivery speeds and supply chain capacity for its customers, including its Delivery Service Partner program, Amazon Flex, the company’s mobile application that allows individuals to sign-up, be vetted and begin delivering for Amazon, a dedicated network of over 10,000 trailers to increase trucking capacity and, now, the expanded fleet of air cargo planes. These efforts join Amazon’s robust worldwide network of more than 185 fulfillment centers where the company uses high-end algorithms, robotics, machine learning and other technological innovations to increase delivery speeds for customers. Amazon is now bringing the same technological expertise to efforts in the transportation space to increase shipping capacity for customers.

Amazon Air is now operating to Miami

Miami International Airport is now part of Amazon Air’s (Prime Air) cargo flight operations. The company has launched double-daily freighter service at MIA to destinations across the U.S. The new cargo service is being operated by Atlas Air Worldwide with Boeing 767-300F aircraft, and includes an onsite facility to sort packages bound for their next destination.

Amazon already operates four warehouses in Miami-Dade County, all within 12 miles of MIA – the largest of which is a new 885,000-square-foot fulfillment center at Miami-Opa locka Executive Airport just completed this year.

Amazon Air’s launch comes nine months after Miami-Dade Aviation Department (MDAD) officials hosted its first e-Commerce strategy workshop with more than 30 local air cargo industry stakeholders, with the goal of establishing Miami-Dade County as one of the world’s leading e-commerce hubs. Market research firm eMarketer forecasts Latin America to be a strong e-commerce growth region during that span, with a projected doubling of annual sales from $47.4 billion in 2015 to $84.8 billion in 2019. MIA is America’s busiest airport for international freight and handles more freight to Latin America and the Caribbean than any other U.S. airport.

Amazon Air will operate two daily flights.

Photo: MIA.

“Go Gold” special livery introduced on ATI’s N313AZ to fight childhood cancer

ATI (Air Transport International), which operates for Amazon Prime Air, has adorned its Boeing 767-338 ER (F) N313AZ (msn 24930) in a special “Go Gold” livery (left side only) to promote childhood cancer awareness.

This special livery is a vinyl wrap that was applied at ATI’s hub in Wilmington, OH. The aircraft was flown to SeaTac on Sunday for finishing touches and then flown to BFI on Labor Day.

The special livery is expected to survive for about 30 days.

ATI-Prime Air aircraft slide show:

Prime Air becomes Amazon Air, fleet grows to 32 aircraft, headed to 40

Prime Air (Seattle) is shortening its name to Amazon Air. In its holiday season recap report, Amazon announced it “celebrated its biggest holiday season” in 2017.

The growing dedicated fleet of Boeing 767-300s helped the company deliver a new record of packages this past holiday.

Amazon also announed Amazon Prime Air is now called Amazon Air. The fleet is now expected to take on new titles.

Amazon also announced the dedicated fleet had grown from 25 Boeing 767-300 freighters in July 2017 to 32 for this past holiday season. Amazon expects this number to grow to 40 by the end of this year.

Atlas Air and ATI (above) are the two main operators of the Amazon Air fleet of dedicated 767s.

Amazon is building a new cargo hub at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport to handle the growing fleet. The companies flying the aircraft will need more pilots to fly the packages.

Top Copyright Photo: Prime Air (ATI) Boeing 767-338 ER (F) N307AZ (msn 28725) ONT (Michael B. Ing). Image: 937302.

Prime Air – ATI aircraft slide show:

However this growth is also leading to some labor issues especially with the pilots assigned to fly the deliveries. One union representing air cargo pilots has established a new website called canamazondeliver.com.

The union also issued this video: