Shipping line CMA CGM has announced the acquisition of 30% of Groupe Dubreuil Aéro, a French private airline group.
This strategic cooperation is aimed at strengthening the group’s airfreight expertise.
The CMA CGM Group will provide its logistics expertise to contribute to the development of Groupe Dubreuil Aéro cargo activity, notably through Hi Line Cargo, a subsidiary tasked with commercial distribution of freight on Air Caraïbes and French Bee’s aircrafts.
The two companies have modern fleets totaling 14 long-haul aircrafts including eight Airbus A350s, which, in addition to its passengers and their luggage, is capable of carrying between 15 and 25 tonnes of freight.
The partnership initiated between the two groups occurs in the context of Covid-19 pandemic. It demonstrates the strength of the two groups and shows a shared trust in the potential of both Groupe Dubreuil Aéro airlines.
Since the reopening of Orly Airport on June 26, Air Caraïbes and French Bee have refocused their routes on overseas territories.
These major routes for both airlines benefit from important affinity traffic with French overseas markets, cushioned from geopolitical or health constraints. The months of July and August also allowed both airlines to consolidate their respective market shares in the French overseas territories.
The CMA CGM Group investment will result from the combination of a subscription to a capital increase for an amount of €50 million ($58 million) and the acquisition of shares.
This operation was approved by Groupe Dubreuil Aéro employee representative bodies and is still subject to the approval of the competition authorities in France, French Polynesia and Austria as well as authorization from the French Ministry of Economy and Finances.
