Maersk Air Cargo Shifts Strategy, Drops 767 Freighters and Amerijet Partnership for Long-Haul Efficiency
In a significant restructuring of its air cargo operations, Maersk Air Cargo, the aviation division of shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk, is grounding its Boeing 767-300 freighters on key Asia-U.S. routes and severing its operational partnership with Amerijet International. The carrier confirmed it will transition to a fleet of larger, more fuel-efficient Boeing 777 freighters to improve economics on long-haul sectors.
The termination, effective February 28, comes one month ahead of the contract's scheduled expiry and will impact approximately 35 Amerijet pilots, representing about 20% of its cockpit crew. In an internal memo obtained by FreightWaves, Amerijet's Senior Director of Flight Operations, Joseph Batten, acknowledged the difficult decision, stating it was "necessary to ensure the long-term viability of our organization."
Industry sources indicate the mid-sized 767s, while effective for regional networks, were ill-suited for Maersk's ambitious trans-Pacific ambitions. The aircraft required multiple stops for fuel and crew changes on routes from China and South Korea to U.S. hubs in Chicago and South Carolina. The switch to 777s, with nearly double the payload capacity and longer range, allows for more direct, cost-effective operations.
The three factory-built 767 freighters sub-leased to Amerijet are expected to be sold, with market speculation pointing to e-commerce giant Amazon as a likely buyer. This divestment is part of Maersk's broader strategy to streamline its owned fleet. The carrier currently operates two of its own 777 freighters and maintains a separate European 767 fleet for express clients like UPS.
The fallout extends to airport partners. "We have not received any flights from Asia this month and are awaiting word from Maersk on their plans to restore service in the spring," said Tom Tyra, marketing chief for Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP).
For Amerijet, the loss of the Maersk contract—accounting for 30% of its total flight hours—is a major blow as it navigates a post-pandemic market. However, CEO Joe Mozzali struck an optimistic note, telling FreightWaves, "Despite the upcoming loss of Maersk, Amerijet will remain a very strong carrier in Latin America." The airline has recently returned to profitability and is operating freighters for UPS to fill capacity gaps.
Industry Voices:
"This is a logical, if painful, step. The 777 is the right tool for Maersk's global integrator ambitions. Efficiency gains will ultimately benefit customers on these lanes." — David Chen, Logistics Analyst at Horizon Consultancy.
"It's corporate coldness at its finest. Maersk talks about 'long-term viability' while 35 pilots get furlough notices right after the holidays. These decisions have real human costs that balance sheets ignore." — Sarah Miller, Former Cargo Pilot and Aviation Blogger.
"The 767 sale to Amazon is the real story here. It shows the continued strength of e-commerce demand and the aircraft's enduring value in dense, regional parcel networks where it truly excels." — Arjun Patel, Managing Editor, Global Freight Review.
"Amerijet's resilience is being tested, but their pivot to ad-hoc and Latin American markets might cushion the blow. The air cargo market is all about agility now." — Elena Rodriguez, Supply Chain Professor, Georgetown University.