Cma Cgm intends to strengthen its air freight activities by acquiring the cargo division of the Belgian carrier Air Belgium. The French shipping and logistics group submitted its offer on 19 March 2025 to the Tribunal of Brabant Wallon, which is scheduled to consider the bid on 27 March. According to Aviation24.be, the offer includes all Air Belgium's freight operations, retaining the Air Belgium name and brand, as well as four aircraft - two converted Airbus A330-200Fs and two Boeing 747-8Fs - currently operated by the Belgian airline for China's Hongyuan Group. A fifth aircraft, an Airbus A330-900neo operated for Lot Polish Airlines, is not included in the bid.
Air Belgium’s crisis began in September 2023, when the airline abruptly ended its passenger services to focus solely on cargo and ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) operations. The sudden decision left around 11,000 passengers stranded. Financial difficulties led to judicial administration as the company sought new investors. In November 2024, administrators received a takeover offer from a consortium comprising Dutch firm Peso Aviation Management and Britain's One Holdings International. Valued at approximately €800,000, this offer planned to take over Air Belgium's cargo operations, retain 197 of the existing 402 employees, and establish a new entity named Air One Belgium.
Initially, on 5 December 2024, the Tribunal of Brabant Wallon approved the consortium’s bid. However, on 6 March 2025, the Commercial Court of Nivelles overturned this authorisation. Air One Belgium has announced it will appeal the court's ruling, stating that it worked diligently to finalise the acquisition. Meanwhile, Cma Cgm's offer has emerged, and a final decision is anticipated on 27 March. Should the French offer also be rejected by the judges, Air Belgium risks liquidation.
