Amazon India is introducing new air freight routes linking Kolkata and Guwahati and expanding its cargo network to the north east.
The company will deploy its aircraft for order fulfilment as it continues to focus on reducing delivery timelines for Prime customers amid rising demand for faster deliveries. Amazon Prime is a paid subscription programme that offers quicker delivery and additional discounts to consumers, along with access to its streaming platforms.
This new routes will help entrepreneurs and small businesses in the north eastern states reach customers across India. According to Abhinav Singh, Amazon’s vice president, operations, India and Australia, the ecommerce major expects the move to cut transit times and boost delivery speeds by up to five times.
“North east India represents a significant growth opportunity for e-commerce, with rising digital adoption and increasing participation from smaller towns and local businesses. Customers across the region are turning to online shopping for everyday needs as well as a wider range of products,” Singh told ET.
Amazon Air will operate three flights a week on this route, with plans to increase the frequency to six per week, said Singh.
“Looking ahead, Amazon will continue evaluating expansion opportunities based on customer demand, operational needs, and network efficiency, with a focus on strengthening logistics infrastructure to serve customers and businesses across the north east faster and more reliably over time,” he said.
Amazon Air was launched in India in 2023 and currently operates two freighter aircrafts for its deliveries. Amazon also partners with commercial airlines to use their cargo capacity on routes where its aircraft are not in operation.
Its overnight routes link major metros such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Guwahati, and Pune, and the company’s air network now covers more than 100 origin-destination pairs across India
Besides air, Amazon also uses railways and trucks to deliver goods across the country.
