CMA CGM Group has strengthened its position in the European air freight market with the acquisition of Air Belgium’s cargo operations, preserving 124 skilled jobs and integrating the Belgian carrier’s aircraft into the Group’s expanding CMA CGM AIR CARGO division. The move reflects CMA CGM’s broader multimodal strategy to deliver integrated sea, land, air, and logistics solutions across global trade lanes.
The acquisition, approved by the Brabant Wallon Commercial Court, includes the transfer of Air Belgium’s cargo fleet, pilot workforce, and support teams. Notably, CMA CGM will retain the Air Belgium brand, maintaining its operational legacy within the Group’s specialized air cargo unit. The preserved workforce includes 72 pilots and 52 operations and support staff, securing essential aviation expertise and reinforcing CMA CGM’s long-term commitment to developing air logistics in Belgium.
Immediate Boost to European Air Capacity
The addition of Air Belgium’s aircraft—based in Belgium and operated from local airports—immediately expands CMA CGM’s air cargo capacity in Europe. The aircraft will serve forwarders and shippers with tailored solutions across intra-European and long-haul trade lanes, complementing the Group’s growing aviation presence at Paris–Charles de Gaulle and its strategic hub in Chicago, where it operates a transpacific network via Atlas Air.
“This acquisition marks a key milestone in the development of CMA CGM AIR CARGO,” said Damien Mazaudier, Executive Vice President of the Air Division at CMA CGM Group. “It brings immediate scale to our operations, preserves highly skilled jobs, and enhances our ability to deliver agile solutions to our customers in a volatile logistics landscape.”
Strengthening the Group’s End-to-End Logistics Offering
Launched in 2021, CMA CGM AIR CARGO has become a critical component of the Group’s end-to-end logistics strategy. Its current air fleet includes four Boeing 777Fs, three Airbus A330Fs, and two Boeing 747Fs, with more aircraft scheduled to join in the near term—including an additional 777F in 2025 and eight Airbus A350Fs from 2027 onward.
The acquisition of Air Belgium’s cargo assets builds on an existing partnership between the two companies. Between 2021 and 2023, Air Belgium operated CMA CGM’s A330F fleet out of Liège before CMA CGM AIR CARGO transitioned to operating under its own French air operator certificate.
With operations now spanning hubs in France, the United States, and Belgium, CMA CGM AIR CARGO is positioned to offer seamless connectivity across Asia, Europe, and North America. Its growing fleet and global infrastructure support CMA CGM’s ability to provide fully integrated door-to-door logistics—including last-mile delivery—at a time when reliability and flexibility are critical to global supply chains.
Integrated Growth Amid Market Volatility
The move comes as the Group continues to build out its presence across all logistics verticals. With ocean shipping under CMA CGM, contract logistics via CEVA, and now an increasingly robust air cargo footprint, the Group is delivering a diversified portfolio of transport services that can adapt to shifting market conditions and customer needs.
By anchoring air freight operations in Belgium, CMA CGM is not only expanding its European capacity but also reinforcing the country’s role as a logistics gateway. The integration of Air Belgium’s cargo business into CMA CGM AIR CARGO further signals the Group’s long-term commitment to growing its aviation division in lockstep with its maritime and land-based services.
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