CMA CGM receives air carrier certificate and first B777F

By Rebecca Jeffrey

CMA CGM Air Cargo received its air carrier certificate from the French Civil Aviation Authority on June 1, following the delivery of its first Boeing 777F.

Confirming this latest development for the airline launched in March 2021 in its first quarter 2022 financial results, the CMA CGM Group said it is supporting the growth of CMA CGM Air Cargo with a fleet of 12 aircraft by 2026.

These aircraft include four Airbus 330-200Fs, currently in operation; two new Boeing 777Fs, one of which was delivered on May 31, while the second is in the process of being delivered; an additional two new B777Fs that have been ordered and are scheduled to enter the fleet in 2024; and four new A350Fs which will join the fleet between 2025 and 2026.

Last month it was announced that CMA CGM is planning to purchase a 9% stake in Air France-KLM Group as part of a new 10-year partnership that will see the airline and shipping group combine their fleets.

Air France-KLM has a fleet of six full freighters – based at Paris CDG and Schiphol – and has outstanding orders for a further four aircraft.

The partnership also covers Air France-KLM’s belly aircraft capacity, including over 160 long-haul aircraft.

In the first quarter of 2022, the CMA CGM Group’s revenue reached $18.2bn, while EBITDA was $8.9bn.