CMA CGM acquires Air Belgium’s cargo operations

French shipping firm CMA CGM has acquired Air Belgium’s cargo operations for an unspecified amount, according to a press release (pdf). CMA CGM had placed an offer to acquire Air Belgium in March 2025, which received the Business Court of Walloon Brabant’s formal approval. The Belgian Civil Aviation Authority granted new Belgian operating licenses to enable the transfer of Air Belgium's cargo activities to CMA CGM after all conditions were met. The shipping firm will keep the Air Belgium brand — safeguarding 124 jobs at the airline — and will exclusively focus on air freight.

REMEMBER- CMA CGM suspended its freight alliance with Air France KLM — where CMA CGM continues to hold stakes – citing regulatory hang ups in March 2024. Both companies intend to continue collaborating on cargo, but under new terms allowing the pair to operate independently as the tight regulatory environment in certain important markets has prevented the cooperation from working in an optimal way.