Amazon’s Amazon Air, a full-time air cargo service, was officially launched on Monday in India as the retail giant seeks to expand its delivery capabilities and output in one of the world’s largest markets.
According to a Reuters report, Amazon Air will only be operated in India by Quikjet, a third-party Indian cargo carrier, as it delivers goods to India’s four largest cities. At this time, it is unknown how much Amazon has invested in the venture.
Reuters was informed by a company executive that Amazon’s decision to use an air cargo service would cut delivery times and costs in India. In the United States, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France, Amazon Air operates various cargo services.
According to Reuters, Amazon Global Air vice president Sarah Rhoads stated, “When we use a dedicated network… we have more transparency with the cost, we control the negotiations and we drive the schedule to make sure we are making the most efficient use of the assets.”
Rhoads continued, “We want to deliver the majority of shipments in two days or less and Amazon Air enables that.”
Amazon Air currently operates more than 110 jets that fly to 70 distinct locations worldwide. India is the third market for the company’s air delivery service, following its launch in 2016 in the United States and Europe.
The company intends to gradually increase the number of planes operated by Quikjet, which is based in Bengaluru, to Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. ASL Aviation manages Amazon Air’s European aircraft and owns the airline.