The company has 4 freighter aircraft of the Boeing 747-8F and Airbus A330-243F type
French shipping giant CMA CGM has submitted a bid to take over Air Belgium’s cargo operations,a company with an operational base at Brussels airport that has concentrated its activities on freight transport and Acmi-type services since the end of 2023 aiming to expand its footprint in the air freight sector according to reports from several newspapers, this will be examined by the Walloon Brabant court on March 27.
A hearing set for April 3
The move comes after the business court of Walloon Brabant revoked Air One Belgium’s previous takeover of Air Belgium earlier this month
Air One Belgium, a consortium of PESO Aviation Management and Air One Holding International, has appealed the decision, with a hearing set for April 3.
CMA CGM’s proposal
CMA CGM’s proposal, set to be reviewed by the court later this month, includes acquiring Air Belgium’s cargo operations while retaining its brand and four aircraft
The air cargo segment in 2021
It is noteworthy that the French group, which entered the air cargo segment in 2021, follows an unexpected development in the sale process that had been started previously for the cargo business of Air Belgium in favor of the British Air One.and currently operates four freighters, with two more set to join this year.
Revoked the Green light for the operation
On March 6, the Nivelles court had in fact revoked the green light for the operation, previously expressed, which more precisely saw as potential buyers the new co Air One Belgium which saw Air One Holding International at 49% and Peter Scholten of the Dutch Peso Aviation Management at 51%. However, the ruling is weighed down by the appeal filed by the joint venture, on which the judges in Brussels will rule on April 3
The four aircraft in the fleet
According to what has emerged so far, the CMA CGM proposal includes the takeover of cargo operations and the four aircraft in the fleet (Boeing 747-8F and Airbus A330-243F), as well as the maintenance of the Air Belgium name and brand, while its employment repercussions are not known. Regarding the Air One Belgium plan, it is known that this includes the maintenance of 197 jobs (out of 401) and that operations will continue to be based at Brussels Airport
By 2026, CMA CGM Air Cargo will further expand its fleet with eight new-generation A350 freighters.
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