Freight ATSG and Maersk order Boeing 767 and 777 Freighters for Star Air

Aircraft manufacturer Boeing has announced new orders for its freight division. Air Transport Services Group (ATSG) has signed a conversion agreement with Boeing to convert four Boeing 767-300 to Boeing Converted Freighters (BCF). Furthermore, A.P. Moller Maersk ordered two 777 Freighters for its operator Star Air.

As globally leading company in. cargo leasing, ATSG is operating a fleet of over 100 Boeing aircraft, including more than ninety converted 767 freighters. This latest order for four additional will provide operator Star Air with additional capacity.

“Our continued confidence in the 767-300 platform, now coupled with the services and support of the OEM, reinforces our commitment to deliver best-in-class reliable services to our customers,” said Mike Berger, chief commercial officer of ATSG. “We’re proud to partner with Boeing as we expand our fleet to meet growing demand and look forward to future growth together.”

With the order, Boeing has now more than 100 orders and commitments from customers around the globe for the 767-300BCF. The growing market demand for air freight leads to more operators adding new freighter to their fleets.

Global freight company Maersk has also signed a purchase agreement for two new 777 Freighters. The aircraft will, too, be operated by Star Air, which is Maersk´s in-house aircraft operator. It will be the first 777 aircraft for Star Air, as it is currently only operating with 767 Freighters.

Vincent Clerc, executive vice president and CEO of Ocean & Logistics, A.P. Moller – Maersk, commented: "As a global integrator of container logistics, Maersk is improving the ability to provide one-stop shop and end-to-end logistics capabilities to our customers. This year, we have strengthened our integrated logistics offering through e-commerce logistics acquisitions, tech investments, expanding our warehouse footprint and as a natural next step, we are now ramping up our air freight capacity, creating a broader network to cater even better for the needs of customers."

"We are delighted to welcome Maersk's Star Air to the Boeing family of 777 operators and look forward to many years of continued partnership as it grows its air cargo division," added Ihssane Mounir, Boeing's senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. "The market leading efficiency and incredible range of the 777 Freighter will provide Maersk flexibility to profitably operate the airplane across its large air freight network."

Since Boeing´s 777 Freighter program started in 2005, the manufacturer was able to confirm more than 300 orders for the aircraft family. The aircraft can carry a maximum payload of 102,000 kilograms. With the aircraft, Star Air will be able to operate more long-haul routes more efficiently.