Maersk Air Cargo has taken delivery of the first of two new Boeing 777 freighters and expects the second before the end of September.
The 777F was presented to Maersk at Boeing’s headquarters in Seattle, US. The airline said in a press release it now intends to fly the freighter to its hub at Billund Airport (BLL) in Denmark where it will arrive on July 13.
Maersk ordered the two 777Fs in November 2021 as part of its fleet modernisation efforts. The delivery of the second aircraft is scheduled later in the third quarter. Maersk Air Cargo’s owned controlled fleet will then comprise two 777Fs and 20 Boeing 767Fs.
Both aircraft will be deployed on Maersk’s BLL to Hangzhou, China (HGH) route with initially three weekly flights, and later up to six weekly flights. The airline stated that in addition to adding more capacity, the 777Fs will ensure shorter transit times as well as faster handling times at origin and destination airports.
This is the first Boeing 777 owned by a Danish airline, added Maersk.
Maersk Air Cargo 777F handover ceremony with Boeing. Photo: Maersk
In April this year, Maersk Air Cargo also applied for a UK operating license. Maersk told Air Cargo News at the time that the application had been made to “support our ongoing business activities in Europe and the UK”. The company confirmed that operations will be served with 767F aircraft.
Lars Jordahn, head of Maersk Air Cargo, said: “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.”
Narin Phol, executive vice president and chief product officer (CPO) for logistics and services at Maersk, added: “From a commercial perspective the two Boeing 777Fs are a giant leap in terms of what we can offer our air freight customers going forward.
“Besides enabling a much more efficient route structuring our 777Fs will improve the availability of space for our customers as we see a growing demand for integrated supply chain solutions which include air.
“Due to the disruptive environment in logistics, a rising number of cargo owners are choosing to reduce the number of service providers in their supply chain. Increased visibility across fewer providers enables the cargo owners to react more swiftly and much better informed in case of disruption.
“Availability of air freight capacity and full asset control are important aspects here. Both increase the levels of resilience, visibility and flexibility which are essential in these disruptive times.”
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