Amazon launches air cargo service for its `prime’ customers
30 Jan 2023
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Amazon India has launched Amazon Air, making it the first e-commerce company in the country to have a dedicated air cargo network. Amazon Air will utilise the cargo capacity of two Boeing 737-800 aircrafts operated by Quikjet Cargo Airlines.
Each Amazon Air aircraft will ship thousands of packages every day and fly across Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai. Amazon Air will help ship goods faster from its fulfillment centres to last-mile deliveries.
“We’re thrilled to launch Amazon Air in India to ensure we can provide our growing customer base with great selection, low prices, and faster deliveries,” said Sarah Rhoads, Vice President, Amazon Global Air.
Amazon is the first e-commerce company in India to partner with a third-party air carrier to provide a dedicated air cargo network and strengthen its transportation infrastructure in the country.
Quikjet will lease out its aircraft for transporting goods to Amazon customers across various cities such as Hyderabad, Bangalore, Delhi, and Mumbai.
“Telangana offers a conducive environment for the development of multi-modal connectivity and I take great pride in the fact that Hyderabad has emerged as a major hub for e-commerce distribution and supply chain activities. We have been working towards strengthening the state’s air cargo infrastructure, and we welcome the launch of Amazon Air which will further assist in making Hyderabad a cargo hub for the country and will create additional employment opportunities in the state. My heartiest congratulations to the Amazon team on this milestone, and for taking a step forward to develop a strong and resilient infrastructure which is crucial for the country’s economic growth,” said Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao, Telengana minister for municipal administration and urban development, industries, commerce, and information technology
“Amazon Air comes to India at an important time. Over the last few years, we have taken many positive steps to build our fulfilment, transportation and logistics infrastructure in the country. Our investment in Amazon Air will only further improve the delivery experience for our customers in India. Moreover, the launch will support over 1.1 million sellers in India, enabling growth for ancillary businesses such as transportation and aviation,” said Akhil Saxena, vice president – customer fulfilment (APAC, MENA & LATAM) & WW Customer Service, Amazon.
“We're thrilled to launch Amazon Air in India to ensure we can provide our growing customer base with great selection, low prices, and faster deliveries,” said Sarah Rhoads, Vice President, Amazon Global Air.
India is the third market, after the United States and Europe, for Amazon Air. It was launched in 2016 in the US and operates an air cargo network that has grown to include over 110 aircrafts across 70 destinations worldwide. Since then, Amazon has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in air logistics capabilities and continues to expand globally to meet the needs of its growing customer base.
