French government and CMA CGM Air Cargo humanitarian charter flight helps Ukraine refugees

CMA CGM Air Cargo has transported 55 tons of humanitarian aid and supplies from France to Poland to support refugees affected by the war in Ukraine.

Working alongside the French Government’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the CMA CGM Foundation chartered a CMA CGM Air Cargo A330-200F aircraft free of charge on March 22 for the Crisis and Support Centre of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (CDCS).

In a LinkedIn Post, CMA CGM said: “Our A330-200F is transporting emergency equipment, including over 25 tons of power generators. These are essential for meeting the basic needs of populations who have been displaced or coping with blackouts.”

The cargo plane took off from Paris Charles-de-Gaulle airport and flew to Warsaw carrying medical equipment, electrical equipment, emergency shelters, IT and telecoms equipment and food to help meet the most urgent needs identified by the international community and the Ukrainian authorities for Ukraine’s civilians.

This large-scale operation is being coordinated by the CDCS in conjunction with the Polish and Ukrainian authorities.

The CMA CGM Foundation has participated in twelve humanitarian operations as part of its partnership with the CDCS, initiated in January 2020, by harnessing its transport assets and its shipping, logistics and air freight expertise. Recently, it handled the shipment of emergency aid from France to India in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) recently granted CMA CGM Air Cargo a foreign air carrier permit as CMA CGM moves forward with plans to launch its own Air Operator Certificate (AOC) airline in the first half of this year.

Rebecca Jeffrey www.aircargonews.net