Paris Charles-de-Gaulle Airport based CMA CGM Air Cargo today announced to have placed an order of four A350Fs in addition to the four A350Fs ordered in 2021. Company also confirmed to acquire a Boeing 777F.
In its latest announcement, CMA CGM Air Cargo has outlined new plans for its freighter fleet following the breakdown of its partnership with Air France KLM.
The freighter company was previously due to acquire two Boeing 777-200Fs and four Airbus A350Fs, but this has now been expanded to three 777Fs and eight A350Fs.
As stated by the company, the two outstanding 777Fs would be delivered this year with the third due to join the fleet in the first quarter of next year. In its press release, the company said,
"To ensure service to new destinations, CMA CGM AIR CARGO will take possession of two Boeing B777-200F aircraft this year."
"The first aircraft, scheduled for delivery in June, will enable operations to begin on the transpacific route during the summer in anticipation of peak season and will serve airports in Hong Kong, Chicago, and Seoul."
"The second aircraft will be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2024 and will connect mainland China to North America. Flights will be operated by our partner Atlas Air."
CMA CGM was the second company to sign up for Airbus’ new A350 freighter as the French logistics group continued its expansion in the air cargo market.
The shipping giant, which launched its CMA CGM Air Cargo business in 2021, had signed a memorandum of understanding covering the purchase of four A350F. The commitment came days after Air Lease placed the first provisional order for seven of the type during the Dubai air show.
Damien Mazaudier, chief executive of CMA CGM Air Cargo, said:
“Our expansion into the transpacific lane marks a turning point in the company’s history by connecting a new continent to our network and aligns with the ambition of the CMA CGM Group to offer a range of solutions to its customers.
“This lane opening will enable us to offer even more destinations to our customers on major routes.”
Currently, the CMA CGM AIR CARGO fleet consists of 2 B777F and 3 A330F, which are based at the Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) hub.
For the future expansion plans, arrival of the additional aircraft will aid in the current capacity of the fleet. It says,
In 2025, the delivery of a third B777-200F, which will strengthen the fleet by extending its reach and available capacity for our customers.
In 2026, the delivery of 8 Airbus A350F aircraft will enable us to operate a global network, meeting the global logistics needs of air freight customers.
As the launch customer for the cargo version of the A350, CMA CGM AIR CARGO has opted for the most environmentally efficient aircraft on the market, reinforcing the company's commitment to sustainable transport. The A350F model stands out for a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to its direct competitors.
As mentioned earlier, the latest set of changes are visible after CMA CGM’s partnership breakup with with Air France KLM Martinair Cargo owing to the constraints of a “tight regulatory environment”.
Aimed at a 10-year engamagement in the global freigter market, the said partnership started in April 2023 but was terminated at the end of March 2024.
"Air France-KLM and CMA CGM have begun discussions on new terms and conditions of a commercial relation to operate independently from March 31, 2024 onwards."
Airbus has already confirmed 55 orders for its ambitious A350F program from the airlines including Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and the new customer Starlux.
