CMA CGM has created a specialised air freight division in the group called CMA CGM Air Cargo. The container carrier has acquired four Airbus A330-200F freighter aircraft and will open a regular service between Liege, Belgium to Chicago, US starting on 8 March. 

The new business unit was created in response to the growing demand for agile logistics solutions from the company’s customers, says CMA CGM CEO Rodolphe Saadé. “This division will launch with four Airbus A330-200F aircraft and will leverage commercial partnerships with airlines in order to deliver global coverage. This is a major milestone in the development of our logistics services”, he explains.

With the move into air freight, the carrier wants to strengthen the company’s transport and logistics business and offer its customers a new range of comprehensive, agile and customised solutions.

To support the expansion, CMA CGM acquired four 60-tonne-payload Airbus A330-200F freighter aircraft, which came into service between 2014 and 2016. With a range of 4,000 nautical miles, they will connect Europe with the rest of the world. The operation of the freighter fleet will be handled by Air Belgium with Groupe ECS as the commercial agent. Ceva Logistics has signed a blocked space agreement to use the air service.

CMA CGM Air Cargo’s first flight is planned for March 8, when the first Airbus aircraft will depart Liege and head to Chicago. The company has not disclosed which destinations will be added in the future.