Amazon’s freighter aircraft of the future is the Airbus A330
The aircraft of the future for Amazon Air and its top airline partner is the Airbus A330, but the Boeing 767-300 remains the workhorse of their fleets for now. The post Amazon’s freighter aircraft of the future is the Airbus A330 appeared first on FreightWaves .
Air Transport Services Group (ATSG), a subsidiary of Air Transport Services Group, is set to become the second operator of converted Airbus A330 freighter aircraft for Amazon. This marks a shift away from the Boeing 767 medium widebody jet as the primary platform for Amazon's two cargo airlines. ATSG, which already serves Amazon with Boeing 767-200 and 767-300 cargo jets, is anticipating the addition of four A330 freighters on multi-year operating leases starting in the first quarter of 2027.
The A330, slightly larger than the 767, offers similar efficiency and operational economics. ATSG has been preparing for this transition for several years, recognizing the dwindling availability of mid-life Boeing 767 passenger aircraft for cargo reconfiguration. The modification work is done by Airbus aftermarket services affiliate Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH, with two A330 freighters already delivered to Turkey-based all-cargo carrier ULS Airlines Cargo.
ABX Air, another ATSG company, is developing programs with the Federal Aviation Administration to add the A330 to its operating certificate, including training, flying, and maintenance. Additionally, ATSG subsidiary Airborne Maintenance & Engineering is developing an Airbus maintenance program for the aircraft. Meanwhile, Miami-based freight forwarder Global Aviation Link has engaged ABX Air to operate a Boeing 767-300 to Latin America, with the service starting operations on September 2 and expanding to Venezuela and Peru.
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