The acquisition of Sabena by CMA Marine CMA CGM was approved
CMA CGM of France has confirmed its interest in buying Sabena after a court found its offer acceptable.
In a statement, CMA CGM Marine told The Loadstar: "In the course of the Sabena takeover, CMA CGM Marine Group confirms that it has submitted an offer, which was selected by the insolvency practitioner and deemed admissible by the court.
"The acquisition aims to ensure the continuity of SABena's cargo business. We will continue to take the necessary steps to complete this acquisition and comply with the legal process in force."
Cma CGM's bid is for the airline's cargo business, name, brand and four aircraft. According to planespotters, the Belgian airline has leased two A330-300F aircraft, with an average age of 18 years, operated by China Hongyuan Group, although one of them appears to have been grounded. It also has two 12-year old 747-8F aircraft, also operated by Hongyuan Group.
The Dutch bidder is believed to be appealing a decision by the Nivelle Commercial Court to block its bid, claiming it was based on flawed information. The appeal will be heard on Thursday - but it is unclear whether this will make a difference now that the court has approved CMA CGM's bid.
Air One has said it will retain about half of Sabena's 400 employees; It is unclear what action the CMA CGM will take, which is thought to be a key consideration for the court.
The CMA CGM's fleet consists of one A330-200F and three 777Fs, one of which is operated by Atlas Air and two more are on order. The company has also ordered eight A350Fs, which are expected to be delivered from 2026.
Cma CGM has a partnership with Sabena, and the two sides reached an agreement in 2021 to buy two A330-200F aircraft from CMA CGM.
In a statement, CMA CGM Marine told The Loadstar: "In the course of the Sabena takeover, CMA CGM Marine Group confirms that it has submitted an offer, which was selected by the insolvency practitioner and deemed admissible by the court.
"The acquisition aims to ensure the continuity of SABena's cargo business. We will continue to take the necessary steps to complete this acquisition and comply with the legal process in force."
Cma CGM's bid is for the airline's cargo business, name, brand and four aircraft. According to planespotters, the Belgian airline has leased two A330-300F aircraft, with an average age of 18 years, operated by China Hongyuan Group, although one of them appears to have been grounded. It also has two 12-year old 747-8F aircraft, also operated by Hongyuan Group.
The Dutch bidder is believed to be appealing a decision by the Nivelle Commercial Court to block its bid, claiming it was based on flawed information. The appeal will be heard on Thursday - but it is unclear whether this will make a difference now that the court has approved CMA CGM's bid.
Air One has said it will retain about half of Sabena's 400 employees; It is unclear what action the CMA CGM will take, which is thought to be a key consideration for the court.
The CMA CGM's fleet consists of one A330-200F and three 777Fs, one of which is operated by Atlas Air and two more are on order. The company has also ordered eight A350Fs, which are expected to be delivered from 2026.
Cma CGM has a partnership with Sabena, and the two sides reached an agreement in 2021 to buy two A330-200F aircraft from CMA CGM.
