Amazon Air Expands Florida Footprint, Taps Jacksonville International Airport for New Cargo Hub

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Amazon's distinctive blue Prime-branded jets will soon become a familiar sight in North Florida skies. The e-commerce giant confirmed plans to establish a new air cargo hub at Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), with operations slated to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026—just in time for the critical holiday shipping rush.

The Jacksonville Aviation Authority has finalized a lease agreement with Amazon Air for a dedicated facility, repurposing an existing 50,128-square-foot hangar on Pecan Park Road. This move represents Amazon's first air cargo investment in Northeast Florida, complementing its extensive ground logistics network of sorting centers and delivery vans already operating throughout the area.

"This isn't just about adding another airport; it's about weaving a tighter, faster logistics web across the state," said Mark VanLoh, CEO of the Jacksonville Aviation Authority. "For Northeast Florida, this is the next evolution of Amazon's growth, bringing their air operations closer to a major population and distribution corridor."

Currently, Amazon Air serves Florida through hubs at Miami International Airport and Lakeland Linder International Airport. The addition of JAX will fill a strategic gap in the northern part of the state, potentially shaving hours off air-to-ground transfer times for packages destined for Jacksonville and surrounding regions. While the exact impact on delivery speeds remains to be quantified, logistics experts note that proximity to final destinations is a key factor in Amazon's drive for same-day and next-day delivery capabilities.

The expansion underscores Florida's growing importance as a national logistics powerhouse. Lakeland Linder, bolstered by Amazon's presence, ranked as the state's third-busiest cargo airport by weight in 2024. JAX, which placed seventh that year, is poised for a significant volume boost. The move also reflects intensifying competition among retailers to control more of their supply chain, reducing reliance on third-party carriers especially during high-demand periods.

Voices from the Community

Linda Carter, Small Business Owner (Stationery Shop): "As someone who ships custom orders daily, this is promising news. If it means more reliable, faster delivery options for my customers, especially before Christmas, I'm all for it. It could level the playing field a bit against larger retailers."

David Chen, Supply Chain Analyst: "This is a logical, data-driven step. Jacksonville is a major intermodal gateway. Integrating air cargo here optimizes Amazon's middle-mile logistics, reducing ground travel from their Central Florida hub. The efficiency gains, while incremental, compound across millions of packages."

Marcus Johnson, Local Resident & Community Advocate: "More planes, more trucks, more warehouses—when does it end? We're trading our quiet skies and roads for 'convenience' that mostly benefits one trillion-dollar corporation. The traffic, noise, and environmental cost on our community is never part of their press releases. This isn't 'progress'; it's an invasion."

Rebecca Martinez, Economic Development Officer: "The long-term job creation and infrastructure investment are significant. This cements our region's status as a key logistics node. The spin-off effects for related industries—aviation services, maintenance, trucking—are substantial and often overlooked in initial reactions."

This report includes analysis and community commentary. Original reporting sourced from The Florida Times-Union.