ECOMMERCE giant amazon has set up a dedicated freighter service arrangement with Bangalore-based all cargo airline Quikjet to scale-up its network reach and delivery speed in India.
Quikjet secured its air operator certificate (AOC) a few months ago and has a fleet of two converted 737-800Fs, according to Planespotters.
The cargo airline will provide a dedicated 737 freighter, with a payload of 23 tonnes, for Amazon's India deliveries. Industry sources said it would fly under Amazon's Prime Air brand, reports London's Air Cargo News.
Quikjet, founded in 2007 as a neutral cargo airline, is part of Irish airline and leasing group ASL Aviation and is also backed by a few strategic Indian investors, including Tata Capital.
According to Vineet Malhotra, co-founder and director at Kale Logistics Solutions, India's dedicated freighter fleet has expanded dramatically - from just five to 28 aircraft - in about four years.
'This number is set to rise further as airlines are looking to add capacity for cargo operations. They fared better on that front than the passenger segment during the pandemic,' Mr Malhotra said.
'Ecommerce growth has largely contributed to this trend and, according to estimates, tier-2 cities will contribute as much as 88 per cent of new online shoppers and US$150 billion in cumulative incremental online sales in India over the next five years,' he added.
Globally, Amazon Air has an aircraft fleet of more than 100 and, in October, said it would add ten A330-300s leased from aircraft lessor Altavair, which are expected to join by the end of this year after freighter conversion programmes.
Amazon has, of late, put a heavier focus on the Indian market where it claimed exporters had seen sales double, compared with a normal November week, during the recent online Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping promotions.
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Quikjet secured its air operator certificate (AOC) a few months ago and has a fleet of two converted 737-800Fs, according to Planespotters.
The cargo airline will provide a dedicated 737 freighter, with a payload of 23 tonnes, for Amazon's India deliveries. Industry sources said it would fly under Amazon's Prime Air brand, reports London's Air Cargo News.
Quikjet, founded in 2007 as a neutral cargo airline, is part of Irish airline and leasing group ASL Aviation and is also backed by a few strategic Indian investors, including Tata Capital.
According to Vineet Malhotra, co-founder and director at Kale Logistics Solutions, India's dedicated freighter fleet has expanded dramatically - from just five to 28 aircraft - in about four years.
'This number is set to rise further as airlines are looking to add capacity for cargo operations. They fared better on that front than the passenger segment during the pandemic,' Mr Malhotra said.
'Ecommerce growth has largely contributed to this trend and, according to estimates, tier-2 cities will contribute as much as 88 per cent of new online shoppers and US$150 billion in cumulative incremental online sales in India over the next five years,' he added.
Globally, Amazon Air has an aircraft fleet of more than 100 and, in October, said it would add ten A330-300s leased from aircraft lessor Altavair, which are expected to join by the end of this year after freighter conversion programmes.
Amazon has, of late, put a heavier focus on the Indian market where it claimed exporters had seen sales double, compared with a normal November week, during the recent online Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping promotions.
SeaNews Turkey
