The CMA CGM Group has taken over the airline Air Belgium, thereby further expanding its air freight capacities.
The two companies had already worked together previously, and the Air Belgium brand is to be retained in future. The French company is also planning to expand its own capacities.
CMA CGM has announced that the assets of Air Belgium have been transferred. A purchase price was not disclosed. The takeover is intended to secure the brand, over 100 jobs and the expertise of the Belgian team in the future. In turn, the buyer will receive a robust air freight network that “meets market requirements”, according to the statement. CMA CGM plans to offer European customers “comprehensive and flexible logistics solutions” in the face of global logistics challenges.
The 124 employees being taken over by Air Belgium are divided into 72 pilots and 52 operational and support staff. “The expertise of these teams is a key factor in developing a high-performance service that meets market expectations,” CMA CGM announced on the occasion of the takeover. Due to its “iconic character in the Belgian aviation landscape”, the decision was also taken to retain the Air Belgium brand name.
CMA CGM continues cooperation with Air Belgium
“The acquisition of Air Belgium is an important step in the expansion of CMA CGM Group’s air cargo business in Europe and worldwide,” said Damien Mazaudier, Executive Vice President of CMA CGM Group’s Air Division. “It directly strengthens our airfreight capacity while addressing current logistical challenges. By preserving skilled jobs and accelerating network expansion, this acquisition underlines our commitment to our customers and our ability to anticipate market developments.”
With this acquisition, the French group, whose core business is ocean freight, complements CMA CGM Air Cargo’s operations at Paris-Charles de Gaulle. Scheduled flights to Hong Kong, Shanghai and Zhengzhou are operated from there. Air Belgium’s fleet comprises four aircraft and its home port is Brussels-Charleroi.
The takeover continues a cooperation between the two companies that already existed from 2021 to 2023. At that time, CMA CGM Air Cargo commissioned the Belgian partner to operate its four Airbus aircraft from the hub in Liège, before the company received its own French aviation license and began operations in Paris.
Expansion of the aircraft fleet
CMA CGM Air Cargo was founded in 2021 as part of the company’s strategy to offer comprehensive logistics services by sea, land and air. Customers are to receive “tailor-made solutions”, even over the last mile. The CMA CGM Air Cargo fleet currently comprises nine aircraft: four Boeing 777Fs, three Airbus A330Fs and two Boeing 747Fs. The fleet will soon be strengthened by a further Boeing 777F and will be further expanded from 2027 with the delivery of eight Airbus A350Fs.
CMA CGM Air Cargo is also set to grow further in America. The company currently operates a hub in Chicago with two Boeing 777Fs, which are operated by Atlas Air. Three more aircraft are to be added in the future to serve transpacific routes, among others.
