Maersk’s Bold Move: New 777 Freighters to Boost Air Cargo

Maersk is gambling on its air cargo business. The logistics giant will welcome two giant Boeing 777 freighters to its air cargo operation, boosting its capacity and flexibility as it prepares for peak shipping season. The two new 777 freighters, expected to be delivered by late summer or early autumn, will be the largest cargo jets in Maersk’s fleet.

Maersk Air Cargo has already made significant strides in expanding its footprint. In April, it opened a 90,000-square-foot airfreight station near Miami International Airport, designed to facilitate shipments from Asia to Latin America. This goes along with other moves such as the 2022 acquisition of Senator International, a major air forwarding company, and the launching of a digital airfreight booking tool in February. 

The arrival of the 777 freighters comes as other airlines are pausing growth due to financial pressures. For example, Air Canada and Cargojet have recently shelved plans to expand their cargo fleets. In contrast, Maersk’s strategy involves controlling a significant portion of its air cargo capacity through its network, enhancing reliability and service quality.

The two planes will operate from the company’s main base in Billund, Denmark, under a Danish license, with Maersk using its crews to fly the aircraft. 

For Maersk, which recently received positive news regarding the cost of Red Sea shipping disruptions, this move further solidifies its position as a major player in the air cargo market. The company's logistics services recently reported a 1% increase in revenue to $3.5 billion, with airfreight volumes growing 52% year-over-year in the first quarter.

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