‍CINCINNATI — Amazon Air has announced a significant milestone in its ongoing growth strategy: the company will now expand its third-party cargo operations into the Dominican Republic, marking its first venture into the Caribbean. 

The move underscores the e-commerce giant’s intent to transform Amazon Air from an internal delivery backbone into a regional and eventually global logistics competitor.

Why the Caribbean Move Matters

The Dominican Republic is not just a tourist hotspot; it’s a growing trade hub with rising demand for e-commerce and perishable goods. By adding this service, Amazon Air gains a foothold in a region where cargo capacity is often in short supply. 

For local shippers, it means another option. For Amazon, it means turning spare capacity into cash instead of flying half-empty planes. 

From In-House Network to Commercial Carrier

In 2016, Amazon launched its air unit primarily to support Prime deliveries within the U.S. The idea was simple: if you control your own aircraft, you’re less dependent on FedEx or UPS to move goods quickly. 

At first, the fleet of Boeing 767s was dedicated exclusively to Amazon packages. That changed in 2019, when Amazon started opening its aircraft to outside customers. What began as a few charter flights soon evolved into a structured program that allows other shippers to purchase space on scheduled runs. 

For Amazon, it helped fill empty cargo holds. For businesses, it meant access to the same fast network Amazon was building for itself.

Building a Bigger Fleet

The airline has been adding variety to its fleet. While the 767 remains the backbone, Amazon has also introduced Boeing 737s for shorter routes and Airbus A330 freighters for heavier, longer flights. This mix provides the company with flexibility to meet both domestic and international needs. 

Key hubs, such as Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky (CVG), Fort Worth Alliance (AFW), San Bernardino International Airport (SBD), and Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD), keep the network moving. 

Now, with flights into the Caribbean, there’s a hint Amazon might push further into Latin America in the coming years. 

A New Kind of Competition

FedEx (FX), UPS (5X), and DHL (D0) have long dominated the global cargo market. Amazon doesn’t match its size or reach yet, but it plays a different game. Because Amazon controls everything from warehousing to last-mile delivery, its air network plugs directly into a much larger system. That kind of integration is hard to beat.

The more Amazon sells its capacity to outsiders, the more it looks like a direct rival to the legacy carriers. It’s no longer just a retailer moving its own goods. It’s slowly shaping into a logistics company in its own right. 

Part of a Bigger Plan

This move into the Dominican Republic isn’t just about one country. It aligns with Amazon’s broader vision of creating an end-to-end logistics platform. 

Earlier this year, Amazon Air added another piece to its cargo puzzle through a deal with Air Premia (YP), a South Korean passenger airline. 

Under the agreement, YP hands off belly cargo at Honolulu, where shipments are transferred onto Amazon-operated Airbus A330 freighters, which are flown by Hawaiian Airlines (HA), now part of Alaska Airlines (AS). From there, the goods are funneled through Amazon’s U.S. hubs and distributed to more than 40 destinations, including major cities like Atlanta and Houston.

Air Premia, which serves U.S. gateways such as Los Angeles, Newark, and San Francisco with its fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners, benefits by extending its cargo reach deeper into the United States through Amazon’s network.

The company already runs Amazon Freight on the ground, offering trucking services to third parties. Add in fulfillment centers, delivery stations, and now expanding air links, and the picture is clear: Amazon is piecing together a logistics empire.

What’s Next

The Caribbean could be just the start. With Amazon’s retail footprint already growing in Latin America, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Amazon Air flights heading to Mexico, Colombia, or Brazil in the near future. Those markets are large, growing fast, and fit right into Amazon’s long-term playbook.

Whether Amazon ever grows into a full-scale global cargo airline like FedEx Express remains to be seen. But each new route makes it less of a side project and more of a standalone business. 

Amazon Air’s step into the Caribbean might not sound dramatic, but it sends a clear message. The company is serious about cargo. Every new market strengthens its network, attracts more third-party customers, and chips away at the dominance of traditional carriers.

Stay tuned to Airways and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for the latest updates.