SAS Cargo is opening a new line of business selling freight capacity on other carriers with its takeover of Sterling, the former Maersk Air Cargo general sales agency.

"With the takeover of this activity a new and exciting chapter in the SAS Cargo history begins as we will -- in addition to our current business -- also focus on growth in the freight agency business and will be selling freight capacity on aircraft not owned by the SAS Group," said Kenneth Marx, president and CEO of SAS Cargo.

Taking effect Oct. 1, the takeover will include Sterling's sales work for eight airlines in the Nordic and Baltic countries. It will also take on Sterling's 22 employees.

Sterling's customers include Air Baltic, bmi Cargo, Cathay Pacific Airways, Finnair, Estonian Air, Iberia, South African Airways, Qatar Airways and UPS Air Cargo.