Amazon is launching air cargo services in India — its first in Asia — as it looks to support the country's booming e-commerce sector.
In its announcement, Amazon India noted that Amazon Air would utilise the cargo capacity of two Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by partner Quikjet Cargo Airlines.
Each Amazon Air aircraft will ship thousands of packages daily and fly across Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai. Amazon Air will help ship goods faster, from fulfilment centres to last-mile deliveries.
"We're thrilled to launch Amazon Air in India to ensure we can provide our growing customer base with a great selection, low prices, and faster deliveries," said Sarah Rhoads, vice president of Amazon Global Air.
This announcement reaffirms Amazon's commitment to invest in India's logistical infrastructure, the statement added.
Amazon Air will begin shipments in Hyderabad, Bangalore, New Delhi and Mumbai, according to Akhil Saxena, vice president – of customer fulfilment (APAC, MENA & LATAM) and WW Customer Service, Amazon.
"Hyderabad has emerged as a major hub for e-commerce distribution with its strategic geographic location, improved domestic air network, and the increasing popularity of e-commerce in the country," Saxena added.
Hyderabad: new cargo hub
Telangana minister Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao, who leads the Municipal Administration & Urban Development, Industries & Commerce, and Information Technology, noted the "conducive environment" for the development of multi-modal connectivity in Hyderabad — located in the northern part of Southern India.
"I take great pride in the fact that Hyderabad has emerged as a major hub for e-commerce distribution and supply chain activities. We have been working towards strengthening the state’s air cargo infrastructure, and we welcome the launch of Amazon Air, which will further assist in making Hyderabad a cargo hub for the country and will create additional employment opportunities in the state," KT Rama Rao added.
The launch of Amazon Air will further support 1.1 million sellers in India, enabling growth for ancillary businesses such as transportation and packaging.
Saxena noted that Amazon Air comes to India at an "important time" as India has taken many positive steps to build its fulfilment, transportation, and logistics infrastructure.
Today, Amazon India has fulfilment centres across 15 states, providing 43 million cubic feet of storage space for selling inventory. Sortation centres exist across 19 states, with a processing area of nearly 2.3 million square feet.
Amazon India noted that India is the third market, after the United States and Europe, for Amazon Air.
It was launched in 2016 in the US and operated an air cargo network that has grown to include over 110 aircraft across 70 destinations worldwide.