CMA CGM Air Cargo took delivery of its second Boeing 777 freighter this week.
The company placed the order for two freighters in spring 2021 and took delivery of the aircraft on Tuesday during a signing ceremony in Everett, Washington. The purchase of the two aircraft was the first direct order since the group announced the launch of its dedicated air cargo transportation division in February 2021.
The firm also officially announced an order for two additional Boeing 777 freighters. This additional order means that the group will have a total of four of the aircraft in its fleet, which will be expanded to at least 12 Boeing and Airbus aircraft by 2026.
CMA CGM Air Cargo CEO, Olivier Casanova, said the delivery of its first two Boeing 777 freighters and the new order of two additional aircraft represented a milestone in its fleet expansion. “With four Boeing 777 freighters by 2024, complementing our existing fleet of four aircraft, CMA CGM Air Cargo will enlarge its network, linking Europe, Asia and America and provide a tailor-made range of transportation and logistics solutions to our clients.”
As the world's largest, longest range, and most capable twin-engine freighter, the aircraft can carry a maximum payload of 107 tonnes. With a range of 9 200 kilometres, the B777 will allow CMA CGM Air Cargo to grow its air freight service by offering more international destinations and choice.
The 777 is Boeing's top-selling freighter of all time. Customers from around the world have ordered more than 300 since the programme began in 2005. As a market leader in air cargo aircraft, Boeing provides more than 90% of the worldwide dedicated freighter capacity, including new production and converted aircraft.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes Vice President for Europe, Israel and Turkey sales and marketing, Ricardo Cavero, said: “We are delighted that CMA CGM Air Cargo has placed an incremental order for two new Boeing 777 freighters. With the delivery of its first two freighters, CMA CGM Air Cargo will deliver on its promise to its customers to provide end-to-end logistics solutions. The Boeing 777 freighter’s unrivalled operating efficiency will allow CMA CGM to operate the airplane across an extensive, global air freight network.”
