Amazon to launch own air service, reports claim

December 18, 2015

Amazon.com is negotiating to lease 20 Boeing 767 Freighter aircraft to use as part of a US domestic air service, according to reports in the US.

Media outlets claim that the online retail giant wants to build its own cargo operations to avoid delays from other carriers, which reports claim if feel have struggled to keep up with the growth of e-commerce.

Reports in the US say this has led Amazon to consider handling more of its delivery and the retailer has already approached several cargo aircraft lessors about the aircraft.

A report in the Seattle Times’ online edition says that the company has held talks with both Air Transport Services Group (ATSG), and Atlas Air.

The publication also says that Amazon has already run a trial out of Wilmington, Ohio, operated by ATSG on the firm’s behalf.

The Seattle Times says Amazon expects to make a decision to go beyond the trial run and start a larger air cargo operation by the end of January and suggests Amazon could deliver for other companies, putting it in direct competition with the likes of UPS and FedEx.

Reports also add the aircraft Amazon is negotiating to lease would operate out of Wilmington Air Park, which is a former cargo hub.

James Graham

James Graham is an award-winning transport media journalist with a long background in the commercial freight sector, including commercial aviation and the aviation supply chain. He was the initial Air Cargo Week journalist and retuned later for a stint as editor. He continues his association as editor of the monthly supplements. He has reported for the newspaper from global locations as well as the UK.