Amazon mulls leasing 20 Boeing freighters to gain delivery control

Atlanta

AMAZON.COM Inc is considering leasing 20 Boeing Co 767 freighter jets to help gain more control over its delivery methods and costs, according to a person familiar with the plans.

The tech-savvy retailer is interested in building up its cargo operations as consumers increasingly order online, especially during the holiday shopping season. Controlling its own planes and crew would help Amazon shave time and money getting goods to to customers' doorsteps, and help keep its warehouses stocked with inventory. Amazon has run into delays when the shipping companies that it depends on now - United Parcel Service (UPS) Inc and FedEx Corp - have struggled to keep up with the large and erratic orders around Christmas.