Delta sells seven Boeing 767-300ERs to Amazon Air

Amazon Air has purchased seven Boeing 767-300ERs from Delta, growing its fleet as the shortage of cargo capacity during the coronavirus pandemic increases opportunities to generate revenue from air freight. Delta retired the seven 767s during Q2. The Atlanta-based carrier spent 2020 accelerating the removal of its older aircraft to make room for the eventual delivery of 223 firm orders of Airbus aircraft, Cirium fleets data shows. Seattle-based Amazon Air already has 74 aircraft in service including 22 Boeing 737NGs and 52 767s. The cargo carrier founded in 2016 grew its fleet rapidly from 68 aircraft in September. This latest deal with Delta would place Amazon close to its ambition to have a fleet of 80 aircraft by the end of 2021. It is unclear whether Amazon will arrange a sale-and-leaseback for the 767s purchased from Delta. All the existing 74 aircraft in Amazon’s fleet are leased and operated on its behalf by other airlines, including Sun Country Airlines, Air Transport International, Atlas Air and its subsidiary Southern Air.<br/>