CMA CGM continues to expand in airfreight with B777F order

Shipping company CMA CGM is continuing its expansion in the air cargo market through the addition of two B777 freighter aircraft.

The Marseille-based company will purchase the two new aircraft directly from manufacturer Boeing. The freighters represent the airfreight divisions first direct order of aircraft.

It is understood the aircraft will be delivered in spring next year.

“The Boeing 777 will provide CMA CGM Air Cargo the flexibility to operate the airplane across its growing airfreight network while helping to deliver on its sustainability objectives as the CMA CGM Group pursues its commitment to offer its customers a complete range of transportation and logistics solutions,” the company said.

The cargo carrier added that the B777 is Boeing’s top-selling freighter model, with 272 orders since the programme launch in 2005, and offer a maximum payload of 102 tonnes and a range of 9,200 km.

“CMA CGM Air Cargo represents a major new component of the CMA CGM Group in both operational and commercial terms,” the company added. “It is also a new milestone in the Group’s strategic development into logistics.”

CMA CGM Air Cargo was launched in February and operations began in March with a maiden flight between Liege and Chicago, followed by flights to New York, Atlanta, and Dubai.

The company currently offers flights using four A330-200Fs, which are operated by Air Belgium. ECS is selling capacity in its role as general sales agent while sister company CEVA is understood to have access to some capacity.