Amazon Air gets additional boost with 15 more 737-800 from GECAS
At the Paris Air Show, Amazon in the continued development of its fleet has announced to lease additional 15 B737-800 cargo aircraft from GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS). These fifteen aircraft will be in addition to the five Boeing 737-800s already leased from GECAS earlier this year.
June 19, 2019: At the Paris Air Show, Amazon in the continued development of its fleet has announced to lease additional 15 B737-800 cargo aircraft from GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS). These fifteen aircraft will be in addition to the five Boeing 737-800s already leased from GECAS earlier this year. The aircraft will fly in the US out of the more than 20 air gateways in the Amazon Air network.
"These new aircraft will create additional capacity for Amazon Air, building on the investment in our Prime Free One-Day programme," said Dave Clark, senior vice president of Worldwide Operations at Amazon. "By 2021, Amazon Air will have a portfolio of 70 aircraft flying in our dedicated air network."
"We're delighted to support Amazon Air's dedicated air network," said Richard Greener, GECAS Cargo's senior vice president. "The capability of the 737-800 freighters will further enhance Amazon's ability to provide reliable and regional delivery to its customers for years to come."
As reported by STAT Trade Times earlier, according to a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings will provide crew, maintenance and insurance (CMI) services to Amazon using Boeing 737-800 series aircraft.
Amazon will open new air facilities this year at Fort Worth Alliance Airport, Wilmington Air Park, and Chicago Rockford International Airport. The main Air Hub at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport will open in 2021. Since its launch, Amazon's air cargo operation has invested millions of dollars and created thousands of new jobs at locations across the U.S.
Launching the 737-800 passenger-to-freighter conversion program in 2016 and delivering the inaugural Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) less than one year ago, GECAS has plans to convert at least 50 of this type, providing the capacity for the growing need for cargo air transport. The aircraft is equipped with a rigid cargo barrier and have 12 main deck pallet positions. The aircraft has a maximum structural payload of 23,500 kilogrammes (51,800lb) and a maximum range of over 2,100 nautical miles.