Amazon Air fleet. (Photo: Twitter/@amazonnews)

Amazon adds 15 planes, eyes 70-aircraft fleet by 2021

June 19, 2019

Just after losing air-shipping contract of global courier company FedEx amid competition, e-commerce major Amazon has added 15 cargo aircraft to its fleet in the making, aiming to reach 70 planes by 2021…reports Asian Lite News

Amazon Air fleet. (Photo: Twitter/@amazonnews)

“At the International Paris Air Show, the company announced a partnership with GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) to lease an additional 15 Boeing 737-800 cargo aircraft. These aircraft will be in addition to the five Boeing 737-800’s leased from GECAS,” the company wrote in a blog post.

The aircraft would fly in the US out of over 20 air gateways in the Amazon Air network. “These aircraft create additional capacity for Amazon Air, building on the investment in Prime Free One-Day programme,” said Dave Clark, Senior Vice-President of Worldwide Operations at Amazon.

Earlier in May, to expand its airborne ambitions, Amazon announced $1.5 billion investment for building three million square-foot Prime Air airport outside Cincinnati in Kentucky as a parking place for 100 cargo jets.

The company’s plans have initiated a direct competition with the likes of logistic majors, like FedEx and UPS in the US. In June, in a strategic decision, FedEx Express refused to renew Amazon’s contract being used for air transportation of packages.

Currently, Amazon oversees a massive warehouse, Air Hub and cargo freight logistics network in addition to its growing network of Flex personal delivery drivers, employed using an Uber-like contract model.

“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,” the blog post added.

Previous Story

Iran not to extend 60-day nuclear deal deadline

Next Story

Google invests $1 billion in housing across Bay Area

Latest from BUSINESS

Microsoft Cuts Deep

The fresh job cuts come less than two months after Microsoft announced it was laying off more than 6,000 employees…reports Asian Lite

Northeast Is Growth Engine

Scindia also provided updates on the government’s efforts to facilitate the entry of SpaceX’s Starlink service into India. “All due diligence from

India to Empower Global South

India is emerging as a pivotal force in the global transition to clean energy, with Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy,

Maruti’s Global Push Breaks Record

June shipments hit 37,842 units, signalling robust global demand Maruti Suzuki India recorded its highest-ever monthly exports in June, shipping 37,842 units

India’s PC Market Surges

India’s PC market (excluding tablets) registered a strong 13 per cent year-on-year growth in the January–March quarter of 2025, reaching 3.3 million