Amazon Air has locked in its first air cargo facility in Northeast Florida. The move opens new capacity on key Florida lanes and cuts transit time for forwarders moving cargo into Jacksonville.
The company signed a lease with the Jacksonville Aviation Authority to operate from Air Cargo Building Four at Jacksonville International Airport. Operations start in Q4 2026.
The Numbers That Matter
The facility brings 50,000 square feet of warehouse and distribution space across 4.7 acres. It’s Amazon’s 13th facility in Jacksonville and marks a shift in how cargo moves through Northeast Florida.
Until now, Amazon trucked shipments from Tampa to Jacksonville. That changes in 2026. Direct air cargo service means faster turnaround and new booking options for freight forwarders serving the region.
What This Means for Forwarders
Amazon Air operates Boeing 737s, 767s and Airbus A330s serving more than 70 distribution centres nationwide. The Jacksonville hub adds another node to that network.
For SME forwarders, this creates opportunity. More flights mean more capacity. More capacity means better rates and faster quotes on Florida lanes.
“Amazon is one of the largest employers in Jacksonville, with several of their sort facilities on or near our four airports. This is the next evolution of their growth in Northeast Florida.”
– Mark VanLoh, JAA Chief Executive
The hub positions Jacksonville as a live cargo gateway. Forwarders can now route shipments directly into Northeast Florida without the Tampa detour. That cuts time and keeps margins intact.
Amazon’s US Focus Strengthens Domestic Lanes
Amazon Air launched in 2016 as Prime Air. The service scaled back European operations in 2023 and refocused on the US market. In 2024, Amazon opened its air cargo service to third parties through Amazon Air Cargo.
The Jacksonville facility fits that strategy. It strengthens domestic lanes and adds flexibility for forwarders booking mixed-mode routes across Florida.
Florida’s Growing Cargo Footprint
Amazon operates 12 facilities across Jacksonville already, including:
- Fulfillment centres
- Sortation centres
- A heavy bulk freight centre
- Delivery stations
The first fulfillment centres opened in 2017 with $26.7 million in city and state incentives. Since then, Amazon has built out ground infrastructure across the region.
The air cargo hub completes the picture. Ground and air capacity in one location gives forwarders end-to-end options on Florida lanes.
Speed and Capacity Win Business
Jacksonville International Airport now handles direct air cargo from one of the largest logistics operators in the country. That’s live capacity you can quote and book.
“Amazon is excited to work with the Jacksonville Aviation Authority to continue fulfilling customer demand in Northeast Florida. This lease represents another commitment to ensuring fast, reliable delivery for customers across the region.”
– Owen Torres, Amazon Spokesperson
For forwarders competing on speed, the Jacksonville hub is a tool. Quote faster. Ship direct. Cut transit time. Win more cargo.
What Happens Next
Amazon will occupy the entire Air Cargo Building Four once improvements are completed. The facility at 14200 Pecan Park Road becomes operational in late 2026.
Between now and then, forwarders should watch for:
- New flight schedules into Jacksonville
- Capacity announcements from Amazon Air Cargo
- Rate changes on Tampa-Jacksonville-Miami lanes
- Door-to-door (D2D) options expanding across Northeast Florida
The Bigger Picture for Cargo Networks
Amazon’s move signals confidence in Florida’s cargo market. The state attracts logistics investment because of geography, infrastructure and demand.
For independent forwarders, that means opportunity. New hubs create new lanes. New lanes mean more quotes. More quotes mean more business.
The challenge is speed. Can you quote fast enough to compete? Can you access live rates and book direct without tabs, spreadsheets and email chains?
Platforms that simplify complex routing win. Multi-leg, multi-carrier, mixed-mode quotes assembled in one portal let you move first and fast. That’s how SMEs beat the giants.
Florida Lanes: Quote Fast, Ship Direct
Jacksonville joins Tampa, Miami and Orlando as key cargo hubs in Florida. The state’s air cargo infrastructure keeps growing.
Amazon’s $45 billion investment in Florida since 2010 built that infrastructure. Now forwarders can use it.
Whether you’re booking airport-to-airport (A2A) or door-to-door (D2D), Florida lanes offer speed and flexibility. The Jacksonville hub adds another option to your network.
Built Specifically For Freight People
The cargo industry moves when infrastructure expands. New hubs mean new capacity. New capacity means better rates and faster service.
Forwarders who quote fast and book direct win the business. Platforms that cut overheads and keep margins intact give you the edge.
Jacksonville’s Amazon Air hub opens in Q4 2026. By then, make sure you can quote it, book it and ship it without friction. That’s how you compete. That’s how you grow.
