Indications that 2021 will be a threshold year for exponential e-commerce growth given the rising demand of Covid-driven commerce has received a major nod from Amazon after the Seattle-based multinational online goods enterprise announced it had purchased eleven Boeing 767-300 aircraft.
Remarking on the company’s vision to expand its service across the United States, Amazon Global Air vice president Sarah Rhoads said that “purchasing our own aircraft is a natural next step toward that goal”.
It is also part of the company’s ongoing drive towards logistical independence, adding its own aircraft into the mix of leased aircraft.
“It allows us to better manage our operations, which in turn allows us to keep pace in meeting our customers’ promises," Rhoads said.
Of the 11 aircraft four were bought from WestJet, and Amazon expects delivery later this year once passenger-to-cargo conversions have been completed.
An additional seven newbuilds from Delta will be added to Amazon’s fleet in early 2022.
In a statement accompanying the news of the aircraft order, Amazon said it “continues to expand globally to meet the needs of its growing customer base, while investing in jobs and sustainable solutions to power its network.
“Last year, Amazon launched its first-ever air hub at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany and new regional air operations at Lakeland Linder International Airport, John F Kennedy International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Richmond International Airport, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, Kahului Airport, Kona International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport and Louis Armstrong International Airport.
“This summer, Amazon Air announced its purchase of six million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel and has already invested in leading-edge electric ground service equipment and solar rooftop panels planned at some facilities.”
