MIAMI – Today, Air Belgium (KF) completed its first scheduled cargo flight on behalf of The CMA CGM Group after acquiring four Airbus A330-200Fs from Qatar Airways (QR).
The flight, from Liege (LGG) to Chicago (ORD), took 8 hours and 45 minutes, landing at 1:39 PM.
The cargo flights are operated by and under KF’s air operator’s certificate on behalf of the French shipping giant, The CMA CGM Group. The Group specializes in maritime shipping operations but has only recently begun air cargo operations.
To that effect, CMA CGM purchased four Airbus A330-200Fs from QR in order to jumpstart operations. The carrier will operate the cargo flights from Europe to far corners of the world while maintaining a strong reach in the West Indies.
LONDON – Brussels, Charleroi Airport (CRL)–based airline Air Belgium (KF) will expand its operations on its cargo sector with four A330-200F aircraft.
During last summer, airline officials announced thoughts about diversification of operations as well as the opportunities of freight sector. Finally, the Belgian carrier announced the addition of four (4) freighter aircraft to its fleet, the first two will join the fleet from next March.
At the begging, KF will operate four A330-200F from Qatar Airways (QR), which they will be based on Liège Airport (LGG). At the same time KF will remain to provide passenger flight to the French West Indies from its base on Brussels – Charleroi Airport (CRL).
Air Belgium (2nd) has made this announcement:
Air Belgium has announced that it will soon introduce 4 cargo aircraft (no aircraft types specified) with an ambition of 6 units by the end of 2021.
The first two aircraft should be operational as of March 2021. The first aircraft will be based at Liege Airport.
At the same time, the airline will of course continue its passenger flights to the French West Indies.
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In such an uncertain period, this is good news for the airline. We are delighted to be able to begin this diversification into the commercial and cargo sector, which my team and I know well. This will complement our existing passenger business which has been severely impacted by the current travel restrictions. This demonstrates once again the resilience and flexibility of our airline’s development potential. As well as the ever-growing attractiveness of Liege Airport.” – CEO of Air Belgium, Niky Terzakis.