Maersk Air Cargo has taken delivery of the first of two new Boeing 777 freighters – the first Boeing 777 owned by a Danish airline.
The aircraft arrived at Billund in Denmark, its home airport, on July 13 and plays a role in increasing Maersk’s cargo capacity between China and Northern Europe with up to six direct weekly flights.
The Boeing 777F can fly up to 9,200km (4,970 nautical miles) and carry a maximum payload of 102,000kg. Its main deck fits pallets up to 3m high and all cargo decks are temperature controlled.
Maersk chose GE90 engines for its 777F which are the world’s most powerful and reliable commercial jet engines.
Furthermore, the aircraft’s Onboard Network System will allow for connected cargo in the future.
Delivery of the second 777F is scheduled for later in Q3 and once received, Maersk Air Cargo’s owned controlled fleet will then comprise of two Boeing 777Fs and 20 Boeing 767Fs.
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 for Logistics and Services at Maersk, said: “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.”
Maersk Air Cargo is a part of the global integrator of logistics, A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk), ranks among the top 20 airfreight forwarders globally, and is among the top 10 in Germany and The Netherlands.
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