Fort Worth may not have gotten the HQ2 prize, but the area’s relationship with Amazon continues. The Seattle-based retailer and technology company on Dec. 11 announced plans to open a Regional Air Hub at the Fort Worth Alliance Airport, the first of its kind facility for Amazon Air.
The Regional Air Hub will include a brand new facility that will be built to suit Amazon Air’s needs, according to an Amazon news release.
Construction has already begun on the new facility, which will create hundreds of new jobs.
Unlike other gateways and facilities within Amazon Air’s network, the Regional Air Hub will be tailored specifically to Amazon Air’s larger scale regional needs. The Regional Air Hub will be constructed with the future in mind to include sortation capability and infrastructure to handle multiple flights daily, according to the news release.
Projected to be operational next year, the new Regional Air Hub will include daily flights.
“We are pleased to grow our partnership with Amazon here at Alliance,” said Bill Burton, executive vice president at Hillwood, the developer. “As one of the world’s most influential retail, technology and supply chain logistics companies, Amazon’s selection of Fort Worth Alliance Airport will continue to transform the airport’s role within the region.”
Amazon’s first branded aircraft, Amazon One, first took off in 2016 and now operates 40 aircraft in its fleet at over 20 air gateways across the country. Amazon Air plans to open a central air hub at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
“We are excited to build a brand new facility from the ground up at the Fort Worth Alliance Airport,” said Sarah Rhoads, director of Amazon Air. “The new facility is the first of its kind for us and we’re thrilled to ensure we have the capacity to continue to delight our customers.”
Other area leaders also welcomed the news:
“The Fort Worth Chamber was proud to work with economic development partners at the City of Haslet and AllianceTexas to attract Amazon Air to the region,” said Chris Strayer, senior vice president of Business Attraction, Retention and Expansion, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. “We are seeing the benefits of more intentional regional partnerships with Fort Worth’s surrounding communities to attract and retain businesses in all our major industry sectors.
“I’m sure we will continue to work with Amazon in the future to identify any other new opportunities in our area,” he said.
“I am excited to welcome Amazon Air and the hundreds of jobs this regional hub will create in the Fort Worth area. Alliance continues to draw the very best. It more than meets expectations year after year,” said Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth.
“I am glad that Amazon Air selected Fort Worth Alliance Airport for its newest facility. As is proved time and again, North Texas is a great place to build a business and we welcome Amazon Air as the newest addition to our community,” said Rep. Michael C. Burgess, R-Denton, Fort Worth.
“Haslet is very happy and excited to welcome another Amazon facility to our city,” said Hazlet Mayor Bob Golden. “Amazon has been an awesome partner and we look forward to expanding that relationship in the future.”
https://blog.aboutamazon.com/transportation/introducing-amazon-one