Kes Nielsen steps up as Tom Bradley leaves Amazon Air Cargo
Bradley became the first head of Amazon Air Cargo after its 2024 launch, leading the external air freight network buildout.
Kes Nielsen (L) and Tom Bradley (R)
Amazon has announced a leadership change at its Amazon Air Cargo business, with Tom Bradley stepping down from his role as Global Director and GM, Air Cargo to take a sabbatical with his family. Kes Nielsen will succeed Bradley and lead the company’s commercial air freight operations as it expands its external cargo offering.
Amazon Air Cargo was commercially launched in 2024, marking the company’s move to sell air freight capacity to customers beyond its own marketplace sellers. Through the initiative, third-party shippers and freight forwarders gained access to space on Amazon-operated and partner aircraft. The step reflected a shift in Amazon Air’s role from an internal logistics network towards a commercial cargo platform, competing more directly with FedEx, UPS, and DHL
Bradley became the first head of Amazon Air Cargo following its commercial launch. During his tenure, he led the development of the cargo sales structure, expanded the US domestic air freight footprint, and introduced service features aimed at external customers. Bradley has spent more than 12 years with the company across supply chain, commercial, and operational leadership roles.
Most recently, in his role as Global Director and General Manager of Amazon Air Cargo, Bradley oversaw strategy, commercial growth, and network execution. Earlier roles included senior positions in supply chain management, sales and marketing, North American locker networks, and retail categories in the UK, including mobile electronics and aftermarket services.
Nielsen assumes the role after serving as Director of Business Development for Amazon Air Cargo, where they worked on building the third-party shipper programme and aligning air cargo with Amazon’s broader logistics and technology ecosystem. Nielsen has more than 21 years of experience within Amazon, including leadership roles at Amazon Web Services in training and certification, as well as positions within the Amazon Appstore focused on developer relations and content partnerships.
Speaking on the panel titled “Nearshoring & Regionalisation: Impacts on Air Freight Demand and Infrastructure” at the Air Cargo Americas conference, organized by The STAT Trade Times, Nielsen remarked that he was “by far the least qualified person on this panel, with just two months of experience in air cargo, but more than 20 years at Amazon.”
The leadership transition comes as Amazon continues to expand its commercial air freight offering and deepen its logistics capabilities. Under Nielsen’s leadership, the business is expected to further develop its air cargo network, with a focus on reliability for both internal and external shippers and closer integration across Amazon’s supply chain and data platforms.
Tom Bradley joined the air cargo industry leaders' roundtable at TIACA Air Cargo Forum 2024 in Miami.
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