What Happened to Amazon Air?

Amazon Air emerged in 2015 as Amazon sought greater control over its logistics and a reduction in reliance on third-party shipping providers. Initially operating under the codename Project Aerosmith, the company announced its intention to launch its own cargo airline to expand delivery capabilities. By March 2016, Amazon had secured options to acquire a significant stake in Air Transport Services Group (ATSG) and commenced scheduled operations with 20 Boeing 767 aircraft, flown by ATSG's subsidiaries. The network rapidly expanded, designating Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) as its principal hub in January 2017. It was also around this time that the cargo airline rebranded from 'Amazon Prime Air' to 'Amazon Air' to distinguish it from the autonomous drone delivery service, which retained the 'Prime Air' moniker.

Over the years, Amazon Air has steadily grown its fleet and operational footprint. While initially relying solely on wet-leased aircraft, Amazon began purchasing its own Boeing 767-300 aircraft from airlines like WestJet and Delta in late 2020 and early 2021, though these aircraft continue to be operated by third-party carriers under CMI (crew, maintenance, and insurance) leases. The network now includes over 100 aircraft, servicing more than 70 airports across North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia. This expansion has allowed Amazon to offer faster shipping options, including one-day cargo delivery across its domestic networks, and even to sell airport-to-airport cargo capacity to third-party shippers.

Parallel to its traditional air cargo operations, Amazon has been developing its ambitious drone delivery service, Amazon Prime Air. After years of development and trials, Prime Air officially launched in select U.S. locations like Lockeford, California, and College Station, Texas, in 2022. The service expanded internationally, launching in India in January 2023 and the UK in 2024, though operations in Italy were discontinued in December 2025 following a strategic review. A significant turning point for Prime Air occurred in August 2026, when Amazon announced a massive expansion, aiming to reach nearly 500 U.S. cities and towns by the end of the year. This sixfold increase from its current footprint is projected to bring ultrafast drone delivery to tens of millions of customers, with deliveries in as fast as 30 minutes for eligible packages weighing up to five pounds.

However, Amazon Air faced a major incident in September 2026. On September 6, a Boeing 767-300 freighter operated by 21 Air for Amazon Air overran a runway at Miami International Airport while landing, resulting in five fatalities on the ground. In response, Amazon announced on September 14, 2026, that it had suspended operations with 21 Air, removing seven 767 freighters from its contracted fleet and initiating a reshuffling of its air cargo network. This incident has brought renewed scrutiny to Amazon's contractor model and the safety culture of its partner airlines. Despite this, Amazon maintains that contracting with certified air carriers is standard industry practice and that it takes safety allegations seriously.

As of September 15, 2026, Amazon Air continues to be a critical component of Amazon's global supply chain, with its cargo network adapting to the suspension of 21 Air's operations by leveraging other contracted carriers like Air Transport International and ABX Air. The Prime Air drone delivery service is aggressively pursuing its expansion targets, having already completed hundreds of thousands of drone deliveries in 2026, with a projection of 1 million by year-end. The company is navigating the complexities of regulatory approvals, community acceptance, and competition in the rapidly evolving autonomous delivery market.