Air France-KLM has announced the effective launch of its 10-year strategic air cargo alliance with the CMA CGM Group, a major logistics operator that is also one of the largest private shareholders of the airline group, with 9% of capital.
This partnership, which has already received the preceptive governmental approval, will encompass both the Air France-KLM Martinair Cargo unit of the Air France-KLM as well as the air cargo division of CMA CGM.
Both companies will combine cargo networks, allocating freighter capacity and related services. They will also operate a joint digital platform called myCargo, which will be made available to customers of both companies.
Air France-KLM brings to the venture its air cargo hubs at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), which both boast modern cargo and logistics facilities, while CMA CGM has a global distribution network and logistics platforms with global reach.
The two companies combined fleet freighter fleet totals 12 dedicated cargo aircraft.
CMA CGM is a cargo airline in its own right and the largest cargo-only carrier in France, operating four Airbus A330-200F and two Boeing 777F. It also has four A350F and two B777F on order. Air France-KLM operates four B747-400F (operated by its Netherlands-based Martinair unit) and two B777F (operated by Air France).
Air France-KLM has eight Airbus A350F on order, four for Martinair and four for Air France9 which will replace the current cargo fleet.
In addition to its dedicated freighter fleet, Air France-KLM has additional cargo capacity in the belly of its passenger aircraft fleet.
As per the terms of this agreement, Air France-KLM and CMA CGM will jointly manage the capacity on their dedicated cargo fleets.