The Danish shipping company Maersk, on Friday, announced that it has entered the air freight business with the Maersk Air Cargo to serve the logistics needs of its clients with integrated logistics with full-fledged operations expected to start in the second half of 2022.
The new air freight company results from 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, Global Head of Logistics and Services, A P Moller – Maersk, said, “Air freight 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.”
As per the communication from the company, it has chosen Denmark’s second largest airport, Billund, as its air freight hub with daily flights creating several jobs in the region.
Further, the company noted that it also intends to enter into an agreement with the Flight Personnel Union (FPU), part of the Danish Confederation and Trade Unions (FH).
From the continent, it will progressively deploy and operate a controlled capacity of five aircraft – two new B777F and three leased B767-300 cargo aircraft, the company said.
Further, three new B767-300 freighters will also be added to the US-China operation, which a third-party operator will initially handle. The new aircraft are expected to be operational from the second half of 2022 and onwards up to 2024, the release added.
Torben Bengtsson, Global Head of Air & LCL (Less than Container Load), A P Moller – Maersk, stated that the company has seen an increased and continued demand for air cargo both today and going forward as well as growing demand for end-to-end logistics.
With the new vertical, the company aims 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 company’s structure within its ocean fleet, it noted.