During its Q3 earnings call, Kuehne + Nagel (K+N) expressed satisfaction with Amazon Air’s airfreight services, particularly its domestic fleet of 60-70 aircraft. K+N’s Asian subsidiary, Apex, utilizes Amazon aircraft for ecommerce fulfillment and standard cargo, leveraging them for distribution within the US marketplace. This partnership allows for a win-win situation, with K+N injecting its ecommerce business into Amazon’s air fleet and utilizing return flights for Amazon out of Honolulu. Amazon Air has opened its capacity to third parties, offering charters and domestic services across North America, EMEA, and Asia. Within its three regional air transport networks, Amazon provides one-day services utilizing a fleet of over 100 aircraft on more than 250 daily flights. K+N reported 5% air volume growth in Q3, with a focus on perishables and growth centered on the transpacific region. Despite overall industry double-digit growth, K+N’s numbers are impacted by their focus on ecommerce companies outside China, as opposed to the broader market. In Q3, K+N saw turnover rise to CHF5.2bn, while gross profit and ebit experienced fluctuations. Atlas Air operates two 747-8Fs on behalf of K+N.
