Amazon expands on-the-ground air cargo presence in Alaska

Amazon Air has opened its most northern air gateway in the entire world.

The air cargo subsidiary of Amazon is launching operations at its new air gateway at Fairbanks International Airport in Fairbanks, Alaska. This is Amazon Air’s second location in the state.

Amazon Air’s newest gateway will include an onsite area to sort packages bound for their next destination and will be managed by an Amazon logistics partner, Naniq Global Logistics LLC. According to Amazon, the site will create more than 50 new jobs in the area. 

Amazon has been busily building up its air transport capabilities as it has been offering Amazon Prime delivery of some items in as little as five hours in select cities. Amazon Air plays a central role in delivering for customers by transporting items across longer distances in shorter timeframes.

In January 2021, Amazon made its first-ever purchase of 11 Boeing 767-300 aircraft. And in June 2020, Amazon began new regional air operations at Lakeland Linder International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Richmond International Airport, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, Kahului Airport, Kona International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and Louis Armstrong International Airport.

“The addition of this gateway in Fairbanks allows us to deliver items to our customers faster, while gaining the ability to deliver to areas of Alaska that were not previously serviced by Amazon Air,” said Sarah Rhoads, VP of Amazon Global Air. “Fairbanks International Airport, the city of Fairbanks, and Naniq Global Logistics have been excellent partners through this process and we’re looking forward to serving the people of Alaska more efficiently together.”