Amazon, and its suppliers, continues to expand and invest in its Prime Air network of cargo planes in the US. And there is speculation that this could mean further expansion of this vital part of Amazon’s fulfilment operations.
One of the two firms that provide aircraft to Prime Air has bought a specialist maintenance facility for the Boeing 767 favoured by Amazon for cargo transportation. Air Transport Services Group Inc. said on Tuesday it has Pemco World Air Services Inc.. Although Pemco doesn’t convert 767s, it does convert 737s which are favoured for shorter trips and popular in Asia.
Quint Turner, ATSG’s chief financial officer, said it they expect to be come the biggest aircraft supplier to Prime Air vis their ATI unit. Already 15 planes are in service and 5 more will be in service by the summer.
ATSG’s rival Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings Inc. currently also supply Amazon with a single 767 with that expected to rise to 20 in due course.
It’s clear that taking charge of the transportation of cargo by air in the US is a key focus for Amazon which is further testament to the company’s willing to develop their real world infrastructure to support online sales.
