Amazon Halted Operations with 21 Air After Fatal Runway Accident

Amazon has suspended operations with cargo carrier 21 Air following a fatal runway accident at Miami International Airport. The incident occurred on September 6, when 21 Air Flight 7598, a Boeing 767 freighter, overran Runway 30 and struck two vehicles, killing five people and injuring five others.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the cause of the crash, which showed preliminary data indicating the aircraft touched down at a groundspeed of 158 knots. One pilot had warned that the plane was traveling too fast during the approach.

Amazon stated it has 'spent time supporting the investigation and reviewing some of the surrounding circumstances' before deciding to pause its operations with 21 Air. The company will continue to support the investigation and those affected by the crash.

The suspension is significant because air freight has become a crucial component of Amazon's vertically integrated delivery operation, which includes its main Amazon Air hub in Northern Kentucky that has processed over 1.5 billion packages since opening in 2021.