Amazon Air, the air cargo arm of the online retail giant Amazon, has announced the launch of freight transportation services in India.
India became Amazon Air’s first market in Asia, according to an Amazon statement released on January 24, 2023. The e-commerce company hopes that the dedicated cargo airline will enhance the company‘s air freight transportation network and contribute to faster e-commerce deliveries in the country.
“This announcement reaffirms Amazon’s commitment to invest in India’s logistical infrastructure, create more jobs in the local economy, and introduce newer capabilities to power our delivery network,” the statement continued.
To ship goods faster, Amazon Air has partnered with the Bangalore-based Quikjet Cargo Airlines, becoming the first e-commerce provider in India to join forces with a third-party carrier. Following the terms of the agreement, Amazon Air will utilize the cargo capacity of two Boeing 737-800 planes operated by an Indian airline to ship packages across Hyderabad (HYD), Bengaluru (BLR), Delhi (DEL), and Mumbai (BOM).
“Hyderabad has emerged as a major hub for e-commerce distribution with its strategic geographic location, improved domestic air network, and the increasing popularity of e-commerce in the country,” Amazon vice president Akhil Saxena said.
Expansion into its third market
In order to reduce its reliance on contractors such as UPS and FedEx, Amazon launched its air services in 2016. The current Amazon Air fleet consists of 110 freighters, which operate across 70 destinations worldwide.
In addition to India, Amazon Air also serves the US and European markets. Amazon‘s already existing US air hubs include airports in Texas (DFW), Puerto Rico (SJU), Florida (MCO), and California (CVG). Meanwhile, it has already expanded air services in East Midlands (EMA), Hannover (HAJ), Paris (CDG), Cologne-Bonn (CGN), Milan (MXP), Rome (FCO), Katowice (KTW), Leipzig (LEJ), Barcelona (BCN) and Madrid (MAD).