Atlas Air, Inc., announced an agreement to expand its partnership with Flexport, the technology platform for global logistics, to add a third Boeing 747-400 freighter to its existing fleet beginning in September 2022. 

In a statement, it said this long-term charter agreement reflects the strong customer demand for Atlas’ services and dedicated international widebody airfreight capacity.

The agreement between Flexport and Atlas Air will broaden Flexport’s network of dedicated freighters to include service from Asia to Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA) and soon, Chicago (ORD).  

"The additional freighter will increase Flexport’s dedicated airfreight capacity from Atlas Air by 50% and allow for enhanced schedule flexibility as new origins and destinations are added in 2022 and beyond," it said, adding that the move eastward across the United States will improve airfreight accessibility for global shippers and enable them to design airfreight networks that best serve their interests as part of strong, resilient multi-modal supply chain strategies.

"We look forward to enhancing our long-term relationship with Flexport as we continue to support the growth and expansion of its network with dedicated freighters," said Michael T. Steen, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Atlas Air Worldwide.

"Atlas Air is strategically positioned to serve Flexport with an unparalleled fleet of widebody freighters and our vast global footprint. Our team is pleased to deliver even more value to Flexport and its customers through the world-class service they can depend on from Atlas Air."

For its part, Flexport noted that the additional freighter will bring extra capacity to support demand.

"We're thrilled to expand our partnership with Atlas Air Worldwide to bring additional capacity to Flexport clients amid a turbulent time in airfreight," commented Neel Jones Shah, executive vice president and global head of Airfreight at Flexport.

"This strategic agreement will strengthen Flexport’s dedicated capacity network and provide global shippers with additional origins and destinations throughout Asia and the United States, ultimately enabling them to build more flexible and resilient supply chains."