CMA CGM Air Cargo plans to begin operating a trans-Pacific route in the European summer 2024, with three new Boeing B777 aircraft due for delivery in 2024 and 2025.
The “strategic” air freight route would connect Asia with North America, with flights operated by Atlas Air.
The first aircraft, a B777-200F to be delivered in June 2024, would serve airports in Hong Kong, Chicago and Seoul.
The second B777-200F, due in the fourth quarter of this year, would connect mainland China with North America.
And in the first quarter of 2025 the planned delivery of a third B777-200F aircraft would strengthen the fleet by extending its reach and available capacity.
CMA CGM Air Cargo considers the three aircraft a milestone in its network expansion strategy.
In 2026, the delivery of eight Airbus A350F aircraft is expected to enable CMA CGM Air Cargo to operate a global network.
The company noted the A350F would be the only large freighter capable of meeting the CO2 standards established by ICAO, which will come into effect from 2028.
CMA CGM Air Cargo CEO Damien Mazaudier said expansion into the trans-Pacific Lane marks “a turning point in the company’s history” by connecting a new continent to the network.
“This lane opening will enable us to offer even more destinations to our customers on major routes,” he said.
“Today’s announcement represents a new step in the development of our business, which we aim to make global, and will take another step forward again in 2026 with the arrival of the A350F, the most environmentally friendly aircraft on the market.”
The CMA CGM Air Cargo fleet currently consists of two B777F and three A330F, which are based at the Paris-Charles de Gaulle hub.
