Maersk Air Cargo
Maersk Air Cargo is a Danish cargo airline operated by the Maersk Group, providing dedicated freighter capacity for UPS, Maersk and other logistics customers.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Maersk Air Cargo is the air-freight airline business of the Danish transport and logistics group A.P. Moller–Maersk. The carrier is headquartered in Copenhagen and operates cargo aircraft from bases including Billund, Cologne Bonn and East Midlands. Its business combines scheduled flying for external logistics partners, principally UPS Airlines, with cargo services arranged by Maersk for its own integrated logistics network and for other customers. The operation traces its roots to Maersk’s earlier efforts to participate in air freight. Maersk Air created a cargo division in 1982, but Danish regulations at the time severely restricted independent freight-charter operations. The division consequently concentrated on ground handling for overseas airlines. After deregulation opened new possibilities, Maersk established Star Air A/S in 1987 and acquired the facilities, organization and air operator’s certificate associated with Alkair’s Fokker 27 operation. The new airline initially performed a mixture of passenger and freight work, corporate charters, wet leases and European cargo flying for companies including FedEx, TNT and UPS. The decisive turning point came in 1993, when UPS needed a European operating partner for flights from its Cologne Bonn hub. A planned arrangement with Sterling Airways collapsed after Sterling encountered financial difficulties, and Star Air secured the UPS agreement on 22 October 1993. Operations began shortly afterwards, initially linking Cologne Bonn with destinations such as Milan, Rome, Zaragoza and Porto. The contract expanded over time, and Star Air progressively became a dedicated cargo operator for UPS. Its Fokker aircraft were retired in 1996, after which the fleet consisted exclusively of jet freighters used for the UPS network. Star Air modernized from Boeing 727 aircraft to Boeing 757-200s in 2001 and 2002. In 2005 and 2006 it replaced the earlier fleet with leased Boeing 767-200 freighters, a change that materially increased capacity and revenue. Maersk Air was sold to Sterling Airlines in 2005, but Star Air was excluded from that transaction and remained directly owned by the Maersk Group. The airline also operated Maersk’s corporate aircraft for a period. A Boeing 767-300 was added in 2014. In spring 2022, the airline adopted the Maersk Air Cargo name, aligning the operating carrier more closely with Maersk’s integrated logistics identity. The renamed business continued to operate scheduled cargo flights for UPS from Cologne Bonn and from East Midlands, including services to destinations in the United Kingdom and Europe. From Billund, it also performs cargo flying connected with Maersk’s broader logistics activities and other customers, including charter operations. The fleet has expanded toward larger long-haul freighters. In 2024, Maersk took delivery of two Boeing 777F aircraft and began long-haul cargo service between China and Europe. Reference material describes the fleet as comprising Boeing 767 and Boeing 777 freighters, with some aircraft operated under contract for UPS and positioned at European hubs. In early 2026, three 767 freighters operated in the United States by Amerijet were disposed of after the Amerijet contract was ended ahead of schedule. Maersk Air Cargo’s current role is therefore that of a specialized cargo-airline platform within Maersk’s end-to-end logistics offering, rather than a passenger airline or a broad consumer-facing aviation brand.
History
Maersk’s involvement in air freight predates the current Maersk Air Cargo name. Maersk Air was established in 1979, and its management explored freight operations because of the parent group’s wider transport interests. A cargo division was created in 1982, but Danish rules limited freight-charter activity and effectively reserved much of the market for SAS. The division therefore operated mainly as a ground-handling agent for overseas airlines, including Cathay Pacific, rather than as an independent freighter operator. Regulatory change in 1987 allowed Maersk to establish a dedicated cargo airline. Star Air A/S was incorporated on 1 September 1987 as a wholly owned Maersk subsidiary. It acquired an existing hangar at Copenhagen Airport and obtained facilities, personnel and an air operator’s certificate through the purchase of Alkair’s Fokker 27 operation. Three Fokker F27-600 aircraft were leased and converted into combi-freighters capable of changing between passenger and cargo configurations. The airline initially pursued a broad mix of corporate charters, wet leases, passenger services on behalf of Maersk Air and European freight flying for FedEx, TNT and UPS. The early business was financially difficult. By 1990 Star Air operated four Fokker aircraft, but increased competition and insufficient cargo volumes contributed to a loss in 1991. Some operations were transferred to Star Air I/S, a Maersk Air subsidiary, and the carrier continued limited passenger flying on a wet-lease basis while seeking more stable freight contracts. UPS’s search for a European partner provided the key breakthrough. UPS required a European airline to operate intra-European services from Cologne Bonn because it did not itself possess the necessary operating rights. Sterling Airways initially appeared well positioned, but financial problems prevented it from completing the planned arrangement. Star Air then signed an agreement with UPS on 22 October 1993 and began flying ten days later. The airline rapidly recruited pilots, engineers and administrative staff who had been involved in the abandoned Sterling operation. Its initial routes included Milan, Rome, Zaragoza and Porto, and the fleet expanded to four Boeing 727s. The Fokker operation was gradually withdrawn as smaller freighter flying became less profitable. By 1996 the Fokker F27s had been retired and Star Air was flying solely for UPS. Eight Boeing 727-100 aircraft entered service over time. The fleet was modernized with four Boeing 757-200s in 2001 and 2002, while the number of 727s was reduced. A further fleet replacement took place in 2005 and 2006, when the 727s and 757s were returned and eleven leased Boeing 767-200 freighters were introduced. The Boeing 767 transition increased the airline’s capacity and coincided with strong revenue growth. Maersk Air was sold to Sterling Airlines in 2005, but Star Air was retained by the Maersk Group rather than included in the sale. The carrier also became responsible for Maersk’s corporate jet. A Boeing 767-300 joined the fleet in 2014, and the airline continued its contract-oriented operation from European bases. In spring 2022, Star Air adopted the Maersk Air Cargo name. The rebranding reflected Maersk’s broader effort to integrate ocean, land, logistics and air-freight services under a unified corporate identity. The airline continued operating scheduled services for UPS from Cologne Bonn and East Midlands, while Billund became a base for Maersk-linked and charter cargo operations. The next strategic step was the introduction of long-haul widebody freighters. In 2024 Maersk took delivery of two Boeing 777Fs and commenced China–Europe cargo services. These aircraft complemented the Boeing 767 fleet and expanded the airline’s ability to support intercontinental supply chains. Reference material available for early 2026 states that three 767 freighters operated by Amerijet in the United States were disposed of after their contract ended early. The airline’s development thus shows a progression from small combi aircraft and occasional charters to a specialized freighter operator with both contracted European flying and Maersk-directed long-haul cargo capacity.
- 2026
Three Amerijet-operated 767s are disposed of
[1]Three 767 freighters operated by Amerijet in the United States were disposed of after their contract was terminated early.
- 2024
Boeing 777F long-haul operations begin
[1]Two new Boeing 777F freighters were delivered and used to launch China–Europe cargo services.
- 2022
Star Air becomes Maersk Air Cargo
[1]The carrier changed its name to Maersk Air Cargo and aligned its market identity with the wider Maersk logistics group.
- 2014
Boeing 767-300 joins the fleet
[1]The airline took delivery of its first Boeing 767-300, adding a larger variant to its freighter fleet.
- 2005
Fleet replacement with Boeing 767 freighters
[1]Star Air began replacing its earlier 727 and 757 aircraft with Boeing 767-200 freighters, increasing available cargo capacity.
- 2005
Star Air remains with Maersk after Maersk Air sale
[1]Although Maersk Air was sold to Sterling Airlines, Star Air was retained as a Maersk Group subsidiary.
- 2001
Boeing 757 freighters enter service
[1]The carrier introduced Boeing 757-200 freighters as an intermediate modernization step, reducing reliance on Boeing 727 aircraft.
- 1996
Fokker fleet is retired
[1]The Fokker F27 aircraft were withdrawn, leaving Star Air focused exclusively on UPS cargo flying.
- 1993
UPS partnership begins
[1]Star Air signed a European operating agreement with UPS and began flights from Cologne Bonn, creating its core long-term business.
- 1988
Fatal Fokker F-27 accident
[1]A Star Air Fokker F-27 crashed during a go-around at Hannover after an improperly distributed cargo load contributed to loss of control. Both pilots were killed.
Products and positioning
A specialized, business-to-business cargo airline embedded in Maersk’s integrated logistics network, combining contracted capacity for global parcel and logistics operators with Maersk-controlled intercontinental freight services.
Medium- and long-range cargo aircraft · 2005
Boeing 767 freighter operations
Boeing 767 freighters form the historical and operational core of Maersk Air Cargo’s fleet. They replaced the older Boeing 727 and 757 aircraft during the 2005–2006 fleet renewal and support scheduled contract flying for UPS as well as other cargo assignments. The type is suited to European network operations and selected longer-range services because it combines substantial payload capability with lower operating complexity than larger widebody freighters.
Long-haul cargo aircraft · 2024
Boeing 777F freighter operations
The Boeing 777F is Maersk Air Cargo’s large long-haul freighter platform. Two aircraft were delivered in 2024 and used to begin cargo services between China and Europe. The aircraft extend the carrier’s reach beyond its traditional European contract network and support Maersk’s strategy of offering integrated logistics capacity across transport modes.
Scheduled cargo airline services · 1993
UPS contract cargo services
Maersk Air Cargo operates scheduled cargo flights on behalf of UPS Airlines, particularly from Cologne Bonn Airport and East Midlands Airport. The services support UPS’s European parcel and freight network, with routes connecting the United Kingdom and continental European destinations. This contract-oriented model has been central to the airline since its breakthrough UPS agreement in 1993.
Charter freight services
Maersk and third-party charter cargo services
From Billund and other operating bases, Maersk Air Cargo provides cargo flying connected with Maersk’s logistics activities and with other customers on a charter basis. These services complement scheduled contract operations and allow the carrier to deploy aircraft for particular supply-chain requirements, including intercontinental freight movements.
Brand decisions
2024
Launch China–Europe operations with Boeing 777FsProduct launchBackground
Maersk sought greater control over air-freight capacity within its integrated logistics offering.
Action taken
The company took delivery of two Boeing 777F freighters and began long-haul services between China and Europe.
Aftermath
Maersk Air Cargo expanded from a primarily European contract operator into a carrier with its own large-freighter intercontinental capability.
2022
Rebrand Star Air as Maersk Air CargoStrategyBackground
Maersk was increasingly presenting itself as an integrated logistics provider rather than only an ocean shipping group.
Action taken
The airline adopted the Maersk Air Cargo name in spring 2022.
Aftermath
The new identity made the cargo airline more visibly part of the Maersk logistics portfolio while retaining its existing contract and charter activities.
2005
Replace Boeing 727 and 757 freighters with Boeing 767sGeneration changeBackground
The older Boeing 727 and 757 fleets were less suitable for the airline’s expanding cargo requirements and long-term UPS contract.
Action taken
Star Air returned the earlier aircraft and introduced eleven leased Boeing 767-200 freighters during 2005 and 2006.
Aftermath
The fleet renewal increased cargo capacity and was accompanied by substantial growth in reported revenue and profit.
Annual revenue. DKK 106 million in 2004 → DKK 653 million in 2007 (2004–2007)
1993
Shift toward a dedicated UPS cargo operationStrategyBackground
Star Air faced weak cargo volumes and competition in its early mixed passenger-and-freight model. UPS needed a European operating partner after a planned arrangement with Sterling Airways collapsed.
Action taken
Star Air signed an agreement with UPS and rapidly recruited relevant Sterling personnel before beginning European cargo services from Cologne Bonn.
Aftermath
The UPS relationship became the airline’s core business. By 1996 the Fokker fleet had been retired and the carrier was dedicated to UPS cargo flying.
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