Amazon Prime Air at Miami Airport. Photo: Markus Mainka / Shutterstock.com Amazon has paused its operations with 21 Air, the carrier that operated Flight 7598, after a fatal incident at Miami International Airport on September 6.
The decision came one week after the incident, following several updates from Amazon as the company supported the investigation and worked with authorities and the affected community.
Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said on September 13 that the company had spent the week supporting the investigation and reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“Safety has always been our top priority, whether in our own operations or when we’re working with partners,” Nantel said. “After the tragic incident last weekend, we’ve spent time supporting the investigation and reviewing some of the surrounding circumstances, and we’ve decided to pause our operations with 21 Air, the operator of Flight 7598.”
Amazon said it would continue supporting the investigation and everyone affected by the incident.
The move follows Amazon’s earlier statements in the days after the crash.
On September 9, the company said it remained focused on supporting the families of those who died and the wider Miami-Dade community. Amazon also said it was fully cooperating with the National Transportation Safety Board and other investigating authorities.
At that point, Amazon was still coordinating closely with 21 Air, the carrier that operated the flight. The company also said its leaders in Miami were working with local officials to reach out to affected families and look for additional ways to support the community.
A day earlier, on September 8, Amazon said NTSB investigators were already at Miami International Airport conducting their investigation.
The company said it would fully cooperate with the NTSB and other authorities and continue coordinating with 21 Air. Amazon leaders were also meeting with local officials, first responders and others in the community.
The first statements came on September 6, shortly after the incident.
At 1:43 p.m. PT, Amazon confirmed that an Amazon Air plane operated by 21 Air had been involved in an incident while attempting to land at Miami International Airport.
Later that afternoon, Amazon confirmed that five people had lost their lives.
The company said the aircraft, which was operated by 21 Air, had been attempting to land when the incident occurred.