Maersk increases cargo flight frequency and commits new freighter to global network
In an effort to strengthen connectivity and meet customers’ integrated logistics needs, A.P. Moller - Maersk (Maersk) is bolstering its growing freighter network between Mainland China, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the U.S. by increasing frequencies of regular flights as well as introducing additional aircraft.
“The introduction of an additional aircraft together with a substantial increase in rotations will further expand our ability to service our customers with regular flights and controlled capacity while ensuring visibility, reliability, and resilience in their supply chains. At the same time, we are further strengthening our position as a truly customer driven partner in the global air freight market.”
Michel Pozas Lucic, Global Head of Air in A.P. Moller – Maersk
On the transpacific corridor connecting Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) and Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, China (HGH), weekly rotations will double from three to six, while weekly rotations between Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, South Carolina (GSP), Incheon International Airport, Korea (ICN) and Shenyang Taoxian International Airport, China (SHE) will go from two to three.
In addition, the air service offerings between Billund Airport, Denmark (BLL) and Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) will increase from three to five weekly rotations. At the same time, the route will introduce a newly converted Boeing 767 freighter that is expected to enter operations directly. The new tail is operated by Maersk Air Cargo, the inhouse cargo airline of Maersk, and is the fifth of initially six ordered Boeing 767 freighters, a pipeline of both newly built and converted cargo aircraft.
By boosting its customer-backed air corridors, Maersk is expected to plug a connectivity gap between the world’s three largest markets for ocean customers, North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific with new solutions for time sensitive and high value cargo.
Maersk has introduced several initiatives to bolster its air freight services. The company recently opened a new Chicago air freight gateway facility to add more supply chain integration opportunities for customers using Chicago O’Hare International and Rockford International.
Three months ago, Maersk celebrated the inaugural flight of the logistics company´s new air freight service with weekly scheduled flights between Denmark and China operated by Maersk Air Cargo.
Prior to that, Maersk also launched a new air freight service with regular flights between South Carolina, Korea and China operated by Miami-headquartered cargo airline Amerijet International.