Maersk Air Cargo becomes first Danish airline with Boeing 777

Maersk Air Cargo (MAC), operating under A.P. Moller–Maersk, received its first of two new Boeing 777F aircraft, marking a historic milestone as the first Danish airline to own a Boeing 777.

The handover ceremony took place at Boeing’s headquarters in Seattle, US. The arrival of Maersk’s inaugural Boeing 777F at its home base in Billund, Denmark is scheduled for Saturday 13 July.

This acquisition signifies a significant enhancement for Maersk’s air freight customers in China and Europe, providing increased capacity and operational efficiency.

The two Boeing 777F aircraft will initially serve Maersk’s existing Europe-China route with three weekly flights, expanding to up to six flights per week.

Apart from bolstering capacity on direct routes, these aircrafts will ensure reduced transit and handling times, improving service quality at both departure and arrival points.

Maersk placed an order for the two 777Fs in November 2021 as part of its fleet modernization strategy. The delivery of the second aircraft is anticipated later in the third quarter of the year. With these additions, Maersk Air Cargo will manage a fleet consisting of two Boeing 777F and 20 Boeing 767F aircrafts under its ownership and control.

The Boeing 777F boasts a range of up to 9,200 kilometres (4,970 nautical miles) and can carry a maximum payload of 102,000 kilograms. Its main deck accommodates pallets up to three meters in height, and all cargo decks are equipped with temperature control.

The Onboard Network System enables potential connectivity for cargo in the future. Maersk has selected GE90 engines for its 777F, recognized as the world’s most powerful and reliable commercial jet engines.

In addition to its owned and controlled fleet, Maersk transports a significant portion of its air freight volumes on commercial flights operated by other airlines.

Through its modern air freight booking tool on Maersk.com, customers can select and book directly from over 70,000 airport pairs spanning more than 90 countries, with instant pricing and optional value-added services.

Maersk Air Freight ranks among the top 20 global air freight forwarders and is positioned within the top 10 in Germany and the Netherlands.

“We are delighted to take this important delivery and upgrade our fleet with two of the largest and most reliable freighters available on the market. With this step we are entering the premier league of cargo aviation. The B777F can transport more than double of payload on each flight compared to our 767Fs, and it is the most fuel-efficient aircraft in the world with the GE90 engines,” stated Lars Jordahn, head of Maersk Air Cargo.

Sources: Container News