Maersk Air Cargo has begun scheduled flights to South America for the first time, expanding beyond its existing North America, Europe and Asia network, reports New York's FreightWaves.

The airline started twice-weekly services from Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport in South Carolina to Bogota, Colombia, in March, and from Chicago-Rockford International Airport to Santiago, Chile, in May, according to Maersk spokesman Rainer Horn.

Flights are operated using Maersk-owned Boeing 767-300 freighters, with Miami-based Amerijet providing pilots and maintenance. Southbound flights carry e-commerce and general cargo, while return legs typically transport perishables and flowers.

Maersk's fleet includes nine Boeing 767-200s, 10 767-300s and two Boeing 777 freighters. Several aircraft are operated under contract with express carriers such as UPS in Europe. Maersk also charters Boeing 747-400 jumbo jets via Magma Aviation.

Amerijet has supported Maersk's trans-Pacific operations since late 2022. Seoul, previously a commercial stop, now serves only as a refuelling point, Horn said.

Maersk handled 327,000 tons of cargo last year, an 11 per cent increase year on year. The company aims to reach 500,000 tons annually by 2030, according to its annual report and a recent webinar.