CMA CGM Launches First Transpacific Route
28th August 2024
CMA CGM Air Cargo has launched its first transpacific line with a new Boeing 777-200F. The inaugural flight on August 25, 2024, connected Hong Kong (HKG) to Chicago (ORD), marking a significant step in the airline’s expansion into the United States.
Strategic Network Expansion
The newly delivered B777-200F is part of a broader strategy to expand its network across Asia and North America. Operated by Atlas Air, this aircraft will serve key airports such as Hong Kong, Chicago, and Seoul. The flight route includes a technical stop in Anchorage (ANC), with westbound operations from Chicago to Hong Kong via Seoul (ICN).
The airline is set to receive two additional B777-200F aircraft by the end of 2024, further increasing its capacity and allowing it to offer seven frequencies per week on the transpacific route. By 2025, a total of five B777Fs will be in operation, enhancing its service offerings.
European Operations and Historical Context
Since 2022, the airline has been operating two Boeing 777-200Fs from its hub at Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG), serving routes between Europe and Greater China with frequent flights to Hong Kong and Shanghai.
CEO Damien Mazaudier highlighted the importance of this new route between Chicago and Hong Kong, describing it as a strategic milestone in the company’s development. The B777 Freighter, known for its efficiency, range, and lower operating costs, plays a crucial role in meeting customer needs and supporting sustainability goals in airfreight.
Global Use of the B777-200F
CMA CGM AIR CARGO’s use of the Boeing 777-200F aligns it with other major air cargo operators like FedEx, Qatar Airways Cargo, and Emirates SkyCargo, who also rely on this aircraft for its unmatched capacity, range, and efficiency in global freight operations. These airlines have leveraged the B777-200F’s capabilities to enhance their global networks and maintain competitive operations in the air cargo industry.