Amazon is expanding the regional capacity of its Amazon Air service to Europe. The retail giant has announced the launch of its first European regional hub at the Leipzig/Halle Airport in Schkeuditz, Germany.
The air hub has formally kicked off operations this month, serving customer deliveries with two flights every day. The new facility covers 65,600 square feet and will house two Boeing 737-800 aircraft from GECAS, growing Amazon Air"s fleet to more than 70 aircraft. The two new planes will be operated by ASL Airlines and will join Amazon Air"s global fleet by the end of 2020.
Amazon says the new hub will provide more than 200 jobs to residents in the Leipzig area. The company already employs more than 1,500 individuals in Leipzig. Dietmar Jüngling, formerly general manager of the Amazon Fulfillment Center in Leipzig, leads the sorting and loading operations at the new facility. Jüngling said:
“We appreciate all the support of the community in embracing these operations and the long-term economic impact and job creation opportunities we will bring to the region. We have been hard at work to build and train a team to build our air cargo network in the region while maintaining a safe working environment. Our objective is to ensure we are able to support the changing needs of customers during this challenging time and beyond.”
Amazon notes that the regional hub will also bolster its efforts to continue offering timely delivery services in Europe amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The company first unveiled its fleet of Prime Air planes in 2016.