French freight carrier CMA CGM Air Cargo is moving to acquire Paris-based aircraft maintenance provider Crystal Aero Solutions.
Crystal specializes in line and light maintenance from its facilities at Paris Charles De Gaulle, Brussels Airport and Belgium’s Liege Airport. CMA CGM already uses the company to support its air cargo operations.
Launched in March 2021, CMA CGM Air Cargo now operates a fleet of five Boeing 777Fs along with one Airbus A330F and two 747Fs. The latter two types were acquired via its purchase of Air Belgium in May 2025. The fleet will be expanded from 2027 with the delivery of eight new-generation A350Fs.
CMA CGM had planned to enter the aviation market in 2020, when it signed a preliminary agreement to buy a 30% stake in Groupe Dubreuil, the owner of Air Caraibes and French Bee, although it cancelled that plan after formally launching its own dedicated air cargo division.
It received its first two 777Fs in mid-2022 following an order with Boeing the previous year.
“As our fleet continues to grow, we will be able to rely on the expertise and know-how of Crystal Aero Solutions’ teams to support our operations across several strategic platforms and support the continued growth of CMA CGM Air Cargo,” said Damien Mazaudier, senior vice president of the air division of CMA CGM Group.
CMA CGM has signed a preliminary agreement for the purchase of Crystal. If the deal goes ahead, Crystal will still be free to support third-party customers and will retain its current management, CMA CGM said.
Under CMA CGM’s ownership, Crystal expects to benefit from new business opportunities, operational synergies and broader access to new markets.
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