The first “Prime Air” flight Atlas Air Worldwide flew for the e-commerce giant Amazon landed at Wilmington Air Park Wednesday, cementing what appears to be a growing relationship between the e-commerce giant and Southwest Ohio.
It was the inaugural flight of the first of 20 B767-300 converted freighters provided to Amazon to support the expansion of Amazon’s e-commerce air cargo network, Atlas said in a statement Thursday.
Now two air carriers with ties to Wilmington — Atlas and Wilmington-based Air Transport Services Group — are flying for Amazon.
“We are excited to begin serving Amazon and its customers,” William Flynn, Atlas president and chief executive officer, said in his company’s announcement. “Our first flight represents a significant milestone.”
A spokeswoman for Atlas said no one was available for comment beyond the company’s release.
An Amazon spokeswoman said the company is still planning its operations.
”.. but we’re excited to be increasing capacity for customers through our plane leases,” said Amazon spokeswoman Amanda Ip in response to a question from the Dayton Daily News about how many flights Amazon intended to fly to and through Wilmington.
The Dayton Daily News first reported Wednesday that Wilmington Air Park and Atlas were crafting an operating agreement to land flights at Wilmington.
Dan Evers, executive director of the Clinton County Port Authority, which owns the air park, said the port authority’s board approved that operating agreement Thursday between the air park and Atlas. The agreement gives Atlas space at the facility.