It’s no secret that Amazon has been scaling up rapidly over the last year. As one of the largest multinational technology corporations in the world with an undisputed stronghold in eCommerce, it has had to take on the right equipment as it continues to grow. As a result, Amazon Air now holds a third of the world’s converted Boeing 737 Next Generation cargo aircraft.
Meeting the requirements of the market
According to Cargo Facts via Purget Sound Business Journal, over 60 737 NG freighter conversions and reconfigurations by four different businesses were tracked, and over 22 units of these are now part of Amazon Air’s fleet. This figure represents 35% of the global freighter fleet of the type. Notably, this number does not include a handful of planes that Cargo Facts believes to have been converted but have yet to join cargo outfits.
Nonetheless, this grip on cargo 737s isn’t a surprise to hear. Amazon Air has been showing its determination to ramp-up its efforts since the pandemic. The firm has taken on dozens of new aircraft while adding several new sites and staff to its operations. The eCommerce industry was already booming before the global health crisis, but the pandemic further catalyzed its success.
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Moreover, it was revealed earlier this month that the firm made use of its options to purchase nearly 20% of freight operator Air Transport Services Group for $131 million. It even has additional warrants to acquire shares in Atlas Air and Sun Country Airlines, which are both operators of Amazon Air planes.
Industry shifts
With Amazon taking on aging 737-800s and modifying them for shipping services, Boeing has an alternative market to focus on while passenger activity remains low. The manufacturer has delivered over 50 737-800 converted freighters to more than 10 operators across the globe. It has also accumulated more than 150 orders and commitments for 737-800s. These progressions have caused the company to add a second line to convert retired units of the narrowbody into cargo jets at Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Company (GAMECO) in China, this year.
Only the beginning
Overall, going by its past record, Amazon won’t be looking to slow down its developments in this field. The company consistently uses its resources and presence to gain further ground in the markets that it operates in. With the whole world going through such a dramatic transformation over the last year, Amazon Air will be looking to become the major force in cargo services across the continents.
Simple Flying reached out to Amazon for comment on its Boeing 737 aircraft options. We will update the article with any further announcements from the company.
What are your thoughts about Amazon Air’s progress over the last year? What do you make of its services with the Boeing 737? Let us know what you think of the company and its operations in the comment section.
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