Air France-KLM Group and the CMA CGM Group have signed a long-term strategic partnership in the air cargo market.
This exclusive cooperation will see both parties combine their complementary cargo networks, full freighter capacity and dedicated services.
The agreement will have an initial duration of 10 years and the companies will join and exclusively operate the full-freighter aircraft capacity of the respective airlines.
The fleet initially consists of 10 full-freighter aircraft and an additional combined 12 aircrafts on order.
This new commercial partnership also covers the capacity of Air France-KLM belly aircraft, including more than 160 long-haul aircrafts.
As part of this long-term exclusive partnership, CMA CGM will become a reference shareholder in Air France-KLM. The company has the firm intention to take up to 9% of Air France-KLM’s ex-post share capital, for a period consistent with the implementation of the strategic commercial partnership.
Rodolphe Saadé, chairman and CEO of the CMA CGM Group, said that he is pleased with this strategic partnership. “It allows us to significantly accelerate the development of our air division, CMA CGM Air Cargo, which was created just over a year ago, and to position our two companies among the world’s leading players in air freight,” he commented.
“This strategic partnership leverages the complementary skills, expertise and activities of Air France-KLM and CMA CGM. It is a landmark step which will significantly strengthen and expand the Group’s position in the air cargo industry,” Air France-KLM Group CEO, Benjamin Smith noted.
