Maersk has confirmed previous reports it is in the process of establishing a new cargo airline using Billund airport as it main hub.
The Danish shipping giant said in a statement that its existing in-house cargo carrier - Star Air (Denmark) (Copenhagen Kastrup) - has already started transferring its operations to Maersk Air Cargo, which will target existing and new customers as well as Maersk’s end-to-end logistics business.
Operationally, Maersk Air Cargo (DJ, Billund) will progressively deploy and operate five aircraft – two new B777-Fs and three leased B767-300Fs. The three B767s will also be used for US-China flights with their operation to be overseen by an unspecified third-party operator. The new aircraft, which are presumed be those mentioned in a November 2021 announcement, are expected to be operational from the second half 2022 and onwards up to 2024.
"Maersk’s ambition is to have approximately one third of its annual air tonnage carried within its own controlled freight network," it said. "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 was not immediately available to comment on the future of Star Air or whether its AOC and permits would be shifted to MAC.
