AF-KLM and CMA CGM cancel partnership

On 16 January, Air France-KLM and CMA CGM announced they decided to cancel their new strategic partnership. Both companies cited "the tight regulatory environment" as reason for the break-up.

The two companies announced their partnership back in May 2022 and it started officially in Aprill 2023. In the partnership, both companies would market their cargo capacity jointly. There was even talk of CMA CGM eventually becoming the operator for AF-KLM's dedicated future Airbus A350F cargo-fleet.

As part of the strategic partnership, CMA CGM acquired 9% of the shares of AF-KLM, including a board seat. This seat will now be vacated at the end of March 2024, while CMA CGM has secured the right to sell its shares as of 25 February 2025 if wanted.

Despite the break-up, CMA CGM and Air France-KLM said they are in discussions about a commercial cooperation in another form.

Illustration by CMA CGM.