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Maersk Air Cargo has sold three Boeing 767-300 freighters that were being operated by Amerijet on the transpacific trade lane.
The company did not reveal which firm had purchased the aircraft, but said they had been sold to “a close strategic partner” in an effort for “owned controlled fleet optimisation”.
“We can confirm the sale of three Boeing 767-300 to a close strategic partner, in an effort of owned controlled fleet optimisation,” Maersk said in a statement.
“The three planes have been operated in the US by Amerijet for Maersk on a three-year agreement which ends 1 April 2026. The transfer of the planes is scheduled for mid of March 2026.”
The news that Maersk’s contract with Amerijet was coming to an end was reported by Cargo Facts last week.
The aircraft had been operated by Amerijet on the transpacific trade lane.
Amerijet chief executive Joe Mozzali said that as a result of the contract ending, approximately 40 pilots will be furloughed on 28 February, representing about 20% of the firm’s total crew.
“No other employee groups are impacted at this time,” he said. “The company will continue to closely evaluate our evolving business needs to ensure we remain well-positioned for future success.”
Asked what the impact would be on services from Asia to the US following the ending of the contract, Maersk said that its aim is to make sure its customers have access to capacity through its various partnerships as well as its own-controlled operations.
The company pointed out that in 2024 it had added two Boeing 777 freighters to its fleet and the majority of its air cargo volumes are moved through belly capacity agreements.
“As an integrator of global logistics, Maersk continues to offer its customers integrated end-to-end logistics solutions across all modes of transport, including sufficient capacity in ocean, inland and air transportation,” the company explained.
“In 2024, Maersk took delivery of two new Boeing 777Fs and started building up owned long-haul capacity. Both 777F are flying between China and Europe.”
In 2024, Maersk managed 327,000 metric tons of air cargo for its customers, which makes it the 15th largest air cargo forwarder according to figures from consultant Armstrong & Associates.
“The majority of the volume is transported on purchased block capacity in the bellies of various airlines complemented by owned controlled flight operations under the umbrella of our airline Maersk Air Cargo which has a fleet of 18 Boeing cargo planes,” the company added.
The company’s fleet includes two 777Fs and 16 767Fs following the sale of the three 767-300Fs operated by Amerijet.
Maersk launched its transpacific operations with Amerijet in the first half of 2023 when belly capacity across the Pacific was limited following the Covid crisis and demand was quickly ramping up.
Since then, passenger operations have gradually been recovering opening up extra belly space, while demand between China and the US last year came under pressure as a result of US trade and e-commerce policy.