AP Moller–Maersk has launched Maersk Air Cargo, a new airfreight business to advance the company’s efforts to deliver a fully-integrated logistics service.
The new air freight company is the result of the existing in-house aircraft operator, Star Air, which has transferred activities into Maersk Air Cargo, the new carrier supporting existing and new customers and Maersk’s end-to-end logistics.
Aymeric Chandavoine, Maersk’s global head of logistics and services said the move would help the company better serve its customers.
“Airfreight is a crucial enabler of flexibility and agility in global supply chains as it allows our customers to tackle time-critical supply chain challenges and provides transport mode options for high value cargo. We strongly believe in working closely with our customers,” said Chandavoine.
“Therefore, it is key for Maersk to also increase our presence in the global air cargo industry by introducing Maersk Air Cargo to cater even better for the needs of our customers.”
Maersk Air Cargowill use Billund – Denmark’s second-largest airport – as its airfreight hub where it plans to progressively deploy and operate a controlled capacity of five aircraft – two new B777F and three leased B767-300 cargo aircraft.
Three new B767-300 freighters will also be added to the US-China operation, which will be initially handled by a third-party operator. The new aircraft are expected to be operational from the second half 2022 and onwards up to 2024.
“Maersk Air Cargo is an important step of the Maersk airfreight strategy, as it will allow us to offer customers a truly unique combination of air freight integrated with other transport modes,” said Torben Bengtsson, global head of air and LCL (Less than Container Load)
“We see an increased and continued demand for air cargo both today and going forward as well as a growing demand for end-to-end logistics, why it is important for us to strengthen our own-controlled capacity and advance further on our air freight strategy.”
Maersk’s ambition is to have approximately one third of its annual air tonnage carried within its own controlled freight network. This will be achieved through a combination of owned and leased aircraft, replicating the structure that the company has within its ocean fleet. The remaining capacity will be provided by strategic commercial carriers and charter flight operators.
Maersk Air Cargo is expected to be fully operational by the second half of 2022.
