The Boeing 767-300 will be operated by Amazon’s air cargo provider Atlas Air and will fly in the Seafair Air Show before thousands of Seattle residents and Amazon employees.
Dave Clark, Amazon’s Senior Vice President of worldwide operations, commented on the company’s momentous achievement. “Creating an air transportation network is expanding our capacity to ensure great delivery speeds for our Prime members for years to come. I cannot imagine a better way to celebrate the inaugural flight than in our hometown at Seafair alongside Amazon employees and Seattle residents.”
The aircraft, named Amazon One, is one of 40 that Amazon has agreed to lease through air cargo partners Atlas Air and ATSG. As of today, there are 11 dedicated aircraft flying cargo for Amazon, with additional freighters due to join the fleet over time. Amazon’s first aircraft in its dedicated fleet is registered under a Prime number, featured on its tail fin, in a subtle nod to its “Amazon Prime” service offering.
Amazon has spent much of the last year launching new initiatives to enhance delivery speeds and supply chain capacity – efforts which join its worldwide network of more than 125 fulfilment centres and over 20 sorting centres. Here, the company uses high-end algorithms, robotics and other technological innovations to increase delivery speeds for customers. The same technological expertise is now being brought to its transportation methods, in an effort to increase shipping capacity and to further enhance the delivery service for its customers.
