Danish airline A.P.Moller-Maersk (Maersk) today announced Maersk Air Cargo as the company's flagship air freight offering, serving customers' needs with integrated logistics.

Maersk has also chosen Denmark's second largest airport, Billund, as the air freight hub for Maersk Air Cargo, with daily flights providing several jobs in the region, an official statement said.

"To this end, Maersk Air Cargo also announces their intention to enter into an agreement with the Flight Personnel Union (FPU), which is part of the Danish Confederation and Trade Unions (FH)."

“Air freight is a critical factor enabling flexibility and agility in global supply chains, as it enables our customers to address time-critical supply chain challenges and provides modes of transport for high-value freight,” said Aymeric Chandavoine, Global Head of Logistics and Services, AP Moller-Maersk. “We strongly believe in working closely with our customers, so it is critical for Maersk to also increase our presence in the global air freight industry by introducing Maersk Air Cargo to better serve our customers' needs.”

The new air freight company is the result of the existing in-house aircraft operator Star Air, which has transferred its activities to Maersk Air Cargo. “The transfer of business process has received excellent support from customers, suppliers, employees and the Danish Civil Aviation Authority.”

“Maersk Air Cargo is an important step in the Maersk Air Freight strategy as it will enable us to provide customers with a truly unique combination of air freight integrated with other modes of transport,” said Torben Bengtsson, Global Head of Air & LCL (Less than Container Load), AP Moller-Maersk. “We see an increasing and sustained demand for air freight both today and in the future, as well as a growing demand for end-to-end logistics, therefore it is important for us to strengthen our own controlled capacity and move forward with our air freight strategy ."

Maersk has the ambition to transport approximately one third of its annual air tonnage within its own controlled freight network. Maersk Air Cargo is expected to be fully operational in the second half of 2022.