Back in 2016, Amazon’s cargo fleet (then known as Prime Air) consisted of 11 aircraft. By the end of 2022, the company said Bloomberg it expects more than 85 aircraft to carry products in the US and other countries thanks to the recent acquisition of 11 Boeing 767-300 aircraft. More than the number of aircraft involved in this, Amazon’s latest announcement is notable because it is the first time the company, instead of renting, is buying additional aircraft for its Amazon Air cargo operation.
Amazon buys seven used planes from Delta and four from the WestJet in Canada. After being refurbished to transport cargo, the latter four will start flying for the company later this year. Meanwhile, the Delta jets will join Amazon Air in 2022. As with all of its existing aircraft, Amazon says these new aircraft will be operated by contractors.