Danish shipping giant AP Moller–Maersk has launched Maersk Air Cargo, expected to be fully operational in the second half of 2022, with Denmark’s Billund airport as its hub for daily flights.
Maersk Air Cargo also announced its intention to enter into an agreement with the Flight Personnel Union (FPU) which is a part of the Danish Confederation and Trade Unions (FH).
Maersk said in a statement that its 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 last operated from Billund in 2005. Maersk Air Cargo will 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 second half 2022 and onwards up to 2024.
The new airfreight 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.
Said Aymeric Chandavoine, Global Head of Logistics and Services, AP Moller–Maersk: “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. 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 said that the process of transferring activities has received “excellent support” from customers, suppliers, employees and the Danish Civil Aviation Authority.
Said Torben Bengtsson, Global Head of Air & LCL (Less than Container Load), AP Moller–Maersk: “Maersk Air Cargo is an important step of the Maersk Air Freight strategy, as it will allow us to offer customers a truly unique combination of air freight integrated with other transport modes.
“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.”
Management at Billund, Denmark’s second largest airport, looks forward to welcoming Maersk Air Cargo, which will also support the growth of the West Danish business community.
Said Jan Hessellund, CEO of Billund Airport: “We have had growth, defied the corona and set a new record year in cargo in 2021. It does not happen without good partners, and we do what we can to make our partners good.
“Now Maersk Air Cargo enters the stage at Billund Airport and raises it a notch. We are incredibly proud that we are being chosen as Maersk’s European hub for air freight, and we look forward to developing the collaboration to even new heights.”
