CMA CGM Group has increased its stake in the airfreight sector by completing the acquisition of Air Belgium and its fleet of four freighters.
The Marseille-based shipping giant announced the transfer of assets from Air Belgium in a press release on 30 April.
CMA CGM Group gained approval for its binding takeover from the Brabant Wallon Commercial court on 27 March after it submitted a proposal on 19 March. The asset transfer agreement with the liquidator has also been concluded.
The acquisition includes Air Belgium’s aircraft capacity, comprising two Airbus A330-243Fs and two Boeing 747-8Fs.
The Air Belgium brand will maintain operations within the CMA CGM Group’s air cargo division and the aircraft will be operated from Belgium.
CMA CGM intends to use the additional capacity to create more tailored forwarding, shipping and logistics solutions.
Based in Paris-Charles de Gaulle, CMA CGM Air Cargo currently operates regular services with two Boeing 777F aircraft to Hong Kong and Shanghai and one Airbus A330F to Zhengzhou.
CMA CGM said its fleet will soon be reinforced by an additional 777F and further expanded from 2027 onwards with eight Airbus A350Fs.
This acquisition continues 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.
Alongside its European expansion, CMA CGM Group has established an airfreight hub in Chicago. This hub currently runs with two Boeing 777F aircraft operated by Atlas Air under the CMA CGM Air Cargo brand, with three additional aircraft due to be added.
These aircraft are expected to strengthen the Group’s presence on transpacific routes and support the expansion of its cargo activities in the American market.
72 pilots and 52 operational and support staff will also be retained from Air Belgium.
Damien Mazaudier, executive Vvce president of the air division at CMA CGM Group, stated: "The acquisition of Air Belgium marks an important step in the expansion of the CMA CGM Group’s air freight operations in Europe and worldwide.
It immediately strengthens our air capacity while addressing current logistical challenges. By preserving skilled jobs and accelerating the development of our network, this operation demonstrates our commitment to our customers and our ability to anticipate market evolutions.".
Air Belgium’s operations had been in trouble for quite some time.
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 have resulted in the airline acquiring debt.
But while the airline underwent a judicial restructuring, it had been seeking investors to provide financial stability.
Originally, another company, Air One Belgium, gained approval for the takeover of Air Belgium’s cargo business in December but the proposal was later rejected.
The Nivelles enterprise court revoked the acquisition process, stating that the takeover by the Air One Belgium JV was taking too long and had therefore failed. 
The court gave Air Belgium a final deadline of 27 March to find an alternative investor or face liquidation.

CMA CGM completes Air Belgium acquisition

CMA CGM Group finalized its acquisition of Air Belgium, gaining control of the airline's fleet of four freighters, including two Airbus A330-243Fs and two Boeing 747-8Fs. The acquisition strengthens CMA CGM's air cargo division, with Air Belgium's operations continuing under the CMA CGM brand. The deal follows a 2021-2023 partnership and includes plans to expand CMA CGM's fleet with additional aircraft. Air Belgium, previously facing financial difficulties, was acquired after a failed bid by Air One Belgium.