CMA CGM-owned Air Belgium is reportedly cutting its freighter fleet with the planned removal of two Airbus A330-200 freighters.
The move would leave Air Belgium with just two Boeing 747-8Fs, although the airline could potentially use the freighter capacity managed by its parent CMA CGM, which acquired Air Belgium in April.
Air Belgium will retire its A330Fs in the coming weeks, two sources told mobilithib. The airline's two 747Fs will continue to operate between Brussels, Dubai World Central and Chengdu.
Data from Planespotters shows just one A330F and two 747-8Fs in the fleet, one of which is operating for China-based Hongyuan Group.
Air Cargo News has contacted Air Belgium and CMA CGM for comment on this matter and future plans for capacity.
Following its takeover of Air Belgium in April, CMA CGM said the Air Belgium brand would maintain operations within its air cargo division, CMA CGM Air Cargo.
The French shipping giant planned to use Air Belgium's capacity to create more tailored forwarding, shipping and logistics solutions.
According to data from Planespotters, CMA CGM Air Cargo currently operates two 777Fs and has another on order, while Atlas Air operates a further two 777Fs on the airline's behalf.
Paris-Charles de Gaulle-based CMA CGM also operates an A330-200F. From 2027, CMA CGM will further expand its fleet with eight Airbus A350Fs.
CMA CGM's acquisition of Air Belgium followed a troubled period for the airline.
In September 2023, Air Belgium said it had decided to discontinue its own passenger business and focus exclusively on “cargo and ACMI for passenger and cargo flights” due to economic challenges that resulted in the airline acquiring debt.
But while the airline underwent a judicial restructuring, it had been seeking investors to provide financial stability.
UK cargo firm Air One International Holdings and Dutch company Peso Aviation Management gained court approval for their proposed takeover of Air Belgium’s cargo business in December 2024. However, the sale fell flat in March after a court revoked the takeover process.
That same month, CMA CGM placed a successful bid for Air Belgium's cargo operations.
CMA CGM's acquisition of Air Belgium continued the 2021-2023 partnership between the airlines. During this period, CMA CGM Air Cargo had a deal with Air Belgium for the airline to operate its four A330Fs from Liège before it obtained its own French air operator certificate and established operations at Paris-Charles de Gaulle.
