Logistics company A.P. Moller – Maersk has launched an air freight service with scheduled flights between Billund, Denmark and Hangzhou, China.

The scheduled Eurasia operation commenced yesterday (20 March), and was launched in response to increasing customer demand, according to Maersk.

There will be three weekly flights, introducing the first of three newly converted Boeing 767-300 freighters that have recently been added to Maersk Air Cargo’s fleet. All Europe-China flights will be operated by Maersk´s internal cargo airline.

“With the introduction of our new service between Europe and China, we have taken another leap with our customers in providing true integrated logistics,” said A.P. Moller – Maersk’s global head of air Michel Pozas Lucic.

“We want to ensure that our customers have the visibility, reliability, and resilience in their supply chains. In this, air freight with scheduled flights and controlled capacity represents a crucial part of our customers´ end-to-end logistics needs.”

The inaugural flight also marks the first scheduled air cargo operation between Denmark and Asia. Maersk said the corridor from Billund Airport is expected to significantly increase access for high value and time sensitive cargo between Scandinavia, Northern Europe, and Asia Pacific.

Maersk added that its newly opened air freight hub at Billund Airport in Denmark “enables customers to avoid congestion and delays that are usually seen in larger airports. In addition, the proximity of aircraft parking apron to Maersk’s airport warehouse facility, allows better control and faster cargo clearance.”

The airport facility in Billund houses a fully equipped, 4000sq m import and 13,000sq m export facility, with separate areas for cold storage, dangerous goods, scanning and ULD handling. Billund airport will have a Maersk Air cargo team with pilots and aircraft maintenance staff, a flight operations team and a freight forwarding team.