Air France KLM Martinair Cargo and China Cargo Airlines agree to strengthen Block Space collaboration

Mr. Wang Jianmin, President of China Cargo Airlines, and Mr. Thierry Beragnes, Senior Vice President of Alliances at Air France KLM Martinair Cargo, signed the agreement at Air Cargo China 2024 in Shanghai.

Air France KLM Martinair Cargo and China Cargo Airlines have inked a new hard block space agreement, marking a significant step forward in their partnership.

The agreement, which takes effect on 1 July 2024, will see China Cargo Airlines utilise Air France’s belly capacity for shipments from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to São Paulo Guarulhos Airport (GRU).

The partnership between these two SkyTeam Cargo members underscores their commitment to optimising cargo operations and providing seamless, reliable services to customers. This new agreement builds on a decade-long collaboration between Air France KLM and the China Eastern Group, which began with an interline agreement and evolved into joint handling operations at Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG), where Air France KLM is handled by China Cargo Airlines. The success of these initiatives has laid a strong foundation for the new block space agreement.

“This new step signifies a deeper partnership and highlights our shared commitment to enhancing our range of services,” said Adriaan de Heijer, Executive Vice President of Air France KLM Cargo. “By capitalising on our extensive networks, we can provide even greater benefits to our customers. I look forward to the synergies we can generate together.”

Wang Jianmin, President of China Cargo Airlines, echoed these sentiments, stating: “In the face of increasing challenges in the air cargo market, we are committed to building stronger and deeper partnerships. This step with Air France KLM Martinair Cargo is a significant move towards expanding our aviation network and enhancing our air logistics market. Together, we will provide safe and efficient services to global customers.”

Both companies see this agreement as a significant development to better serve the global cargo market, leveraging their complementary networks to provide enhanced services and explore new opportunities in air cargo transportation.

Established on 18 August 1998, China Cargo Airlines Co., Ltd. is China’s first professional air cargo company. Located in Shanghai, it operates from Hongqiao and Pudong International Airports. As a member of the SkyTeam Cargo Alliance since 5 June 2013, it leverages a fleet of over 10 freighters and belly space on more than 700 China Eastern Airlines passenger aircraft, maintaining a leading position in China’s cargo transport sector.

China Cargo Airlines serves 1,088 destinations across 184 countries, collaborating with various airlines in Asia, America, and Europe.

The Air France-KLM Group is a global airline group with a strong European base. Its main areas of business are passenger transport, cargo transport and aeronautical maintenance.

Air France KLM Martinair Cargo is the Air France-KLM Group’s dedicated air cargo business. Air France Cargo and KLM Cargo are members of SkyTeam Cargo (www.skyteamcargo.com) offering even larger network coverage.