Air Belgium to operate two A330 freighters for CMA CGM

Air Belgium (KF, Brussels Charleroi) will operate two of its four incoming A330-200(F)s under a CMI agreement with French shipping giant CMA CGM, which has reportedly set up a subsidiary to own the dedicated freighters, The Loadstar has reported citing internal sources. The Belgian carrier recently announced that initially, it would add four of the freighters, growing to six, as it seeks to diversify away from its reliance on A340-300-operated passenger services. While the carrier did not formally confirm the type, it has been reported that it would add four ex-Qatar Airways (QR, Doha Hamad Int’l) A330-200(F)s. Sources told The Loadstar that at least two of the aircraft – thus far owned by Qatar Airways – will be acquired by CMA CGM through its new unit CMA CGM Air Cargo. They will subsequently be dry-leased to Air Belgium, which will operate them on behalf of the shipping firm. CMA CGM remains in talks with Groupe Dubreuil, the owner of Air Caraibes, Air Caraibes Atlantique, and French Bee, regarding the potential acquisition of a 30% stake. In a September 2020 Memorandum of Understanding, CMA CGM underlined its plan to use the bellyhold cargo capacity onboard A350s operated by Groupe Dubreuil’s airlines. However, as the talks dragged on inconclusively towards the end of the year, CMA CGM was said to have been leaning towards setting up its own cargo carrier instead. The privately-held shipping giant did not comment on the reports. Talks with Groupe Dubreuil are formally ongoing and are expected to conclude either way in February 2021. CMA CGM did not respond to ch-aviation’s request for comment while Air Belgium refused to comment.