Transport: Air France-KLM and CMA CGM forge a strategic alliance in air freight

Air France planes on the tarmac at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport (Illustrative image).

© AP - Christophe Ena

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CMA CGM and Air France-KLM join forces to found a world leader in freight.

They signed, this Wednesday, May 18, a partnership to pool their network of cargo planes.

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The shipowner, based in Marseille, announced on Wednesday the entry into the capital, up to 9%, of the Franco-Dutch airline, hard hit by the health crisis.

Thanks to this alliance, “ 

CMA CGM will become a reference shareholder of Air France KLM

 ”, announce the two partners together in a press release.

With this partnership which extends over ten years, the two groups will become number one in air freight, rejoice the two leaders, Rodophe Saadé for the shipowner and Ben Smith for the air carrier.

This sector has never been so profitable, due to the disruption of supply chains due to the pandemic.

Serve the main ports and airports of the world

Together, they will have a fleet of 10 cargo planes from the start: four at CMA CGM and six at Air France-KLM.

And in total, 22 additional aircraft within five years thanks to orders for Airbus A350 and Boeing 777F.

Added to this fleet are the holds of the 160 long-haul Air France and KLM aircraft.

The two companies will be based in Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle, the

Air France

hub , where CMA CGM's first Boeing 777F is due to arrive in June.

Together, we will be able to serve the main ports and airports in the world.

We will thus be able to develop new markets and be more resistant to possible crises, rejoices the boss of CMA CGM.

This alliance must however be validated by the European Commission and the increase in the capital of Air-France KLM of the shipowner by 9% confirmed.

►Also read: Air transport: Air France-KLM reduces its losses thanks to the summer season

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