Amazon.com has announced it will significantly expand its presence at Rockford, IL, making the airport one of its primary American hubs, Illinois News Network has reported.
Currently, the e-commerce giant operates seven daily departures out of Rockford. Flights are operated by Amazon's two main airline partners, ATI - Air Transport International (8C, Wilmington Air Park) and Atlas Air (5Y, New York JFK) using B767-200(F) and B767-300F equipment. The number of flights is set to increase as Amazon is expanding its facilities at Rockford from the current 6,700 square metres to 17,800 square metres. The expansion is scheduled to complete by mid-2019.
"Amazon itself made it official that Chicago Rockford International is now one of their primary airports. They fly in and out of 20 airports in the US, but Rockford is in the top three," airport Executive Director Mike Dunn said.
According to Flightradar24 ADS-B data, Amazon's airline partners operate flights from Rockford to Ontario International, Cincinnati International, Tampa International, Seattle Tacoma International, and Sacramento International.
Rockford, an airport located some 100 kilometres west of Chicago O'Hare, is already one of the largest bases for UPS Airlines (5X, Louisville International). The airport also sees limited passenger traffic with 11 weekly departures by Allegiant Air (G4, Las Vegas Harry Reid).
