Launched as part of its strategic growth in logistics CMA CGM Air Cargo began its operations at Liege Airport, starting with a flight to Chicago on 13 March.The airline’s first Airbus A330-200F will begin regular commercial operations from Liege Airport to Chicago. A second Airbus A330-200F will enter into service on 18 March, and it too will serve the United States.

CMA CGM says that it is drawing on the expertise of Air Belgium to operate the planes in its cargo fleet.

The group adds that with its “strategic location” at the heart of a large populated area, and benefitting from its many intermodal freight options (air, sea, road and rail), Liege Airport is the hub of a high- density European and global air network.

Liege Airport’s CEO, Frédéric Jacquet said:  “We are really proud to be hosting a world-renowned group such as CMA CGM as it develops its cargo operations. A French family group that draws on the expertise of a Belgian company such as Air Belgium, works with Sabena Aerospace for its maintenance, and bases its aircraft at Liege Airport: what we have here is three companies coming together with the same overall ambition to grow and develop.

“The selection of Liege Airport shows once again not only that it has a prominent place in the world of cargo, but also and above all that it is playing an important role in a multimodal vision of logistics. We are delighted to welcome CMA CGM to Liège and to be partners in their projects.”