The cargo operations of Air Belgium have been officially acquired by the French logistics group CMA CGM. The brand Air Belgium will be retained along with 124 of the 401 employees.
This announcement concludes the struggle over the acquisition of Air Belgium, which was under a judicial restructuring process.
Initially, Air One Belgium, a consortium comprising Dutch PESO Aviation Management and British Air One Holding International, was set to acquire the cargo operations. However, the commercial court revoked its approval in early March, prompting CMA CGM, known primarily for its container ships, to present its bid.
Air Belgium's cargo operations include four freighter aircraft. Following the acquisition, CMA CGM plans to preserve 124 jobs, including 72 pilots, out of Air Belgium’s total of 401 employees. The Air Belgium brand will be retained, and the cargo flights will continue to operate from Belgium.
The connection between Air Belgium and CMA CGM is not new. In March 2021, the French group launched its air freight service, CMA CGM Air Cargo, with initial cargo flights operated by Air Belgium from Liège Airport.
Air Belgium, based in Walloon Brabant, was founded in 2016, initially focusing on passenger flights. In September 2023, it announced the end of its "chronically loss-making" passenger routes to South Africa and Mauritius. Subsequently, Air Belgium began a reorganisation before the eventual acquisition under judicial oversight.
