CMA CGM Launches Direct Air Freight Service to Vietnam
According to Air Cargo News, CMA CGM Air Cargo has launched a new freighter service connecting Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport with Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), marking a strategic expansion into Vietnam’s growing air cargo market. The service began operations on May 9, 2026, with a Boeing 777 freighter, and a second flight was operated on May 12, 2026. The aircraft includes a stopover at Navoi International Airport in Uzbekistan on the return leg.
The Boeing 777 freighter offers a capacity of approximately 100 tonnes per flight, enabling CMA CGM to meet rising demand from Vietnam’s rapidly expanding manufacturing sector. This move follows a surge in airfreight volumes, with the country handling around 1.4 million tonnes of cargo in 2025, a year-on-year increase of over 18%, according to Vietnam’s civil aviation authority.
Growing Manufacturing Base Drives Air Cargo Demand
Vietnam’s airfreight market has been propelled by a shift in global supply chains, as multinational corporations such as Samsung, LG, Pegatron, and Foxconn expand production facilities in the country to reduce reliance on China. In the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports by value rose by approximately 20%, with electronic products and components increasing by more than 45%, according to Vietnam Global.
These developments have intensified demand for timely and reliable air freight, particularly for high-value electronics. The new CMA CGM route aims to support this trend by offering scheduled, dedicated freight capacity between Vietnam and Europe.
Operational Challenges: Fuel Shortages and Congestion
Despite the growth, Vietnam’s airfreight sector faces significant operational challenges. The conflict in the Middle East has triggered jet fuel shortages, affecting operations across the region. K+N, a key airfreight charter operator, reported that its services from Vietnam include stopovers in China to refuel.
Additionally, congestion at Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) has led to cargo backlogs. To mitigate this, Japanese forwarder Nippon Express recently obtained a container freight station (CFS) license for its off-airport facility in Hanoi, aiming to bypass airport congestion and align cargo handling with flight schedules.
Dimerco, a freight forwarder, confirmed that cargo backlogs persist for services to both Europe and North America. The impact is reflected in freight rates: average spot and contract rates from Vietnam to the US have risen by about 40% compared to the same period last year, now exceeding $7 per kg. Rates to Europe have increased by 10–15%, with current averages at around $5.50 per kg.
“Well positioned to manage any potential jet fuel shortages.” — Krisztian Zajak, Ground Operations Director, CMA CGM Air Cargo
Competitive Landscape Expands with New Entrants
CMA CGM is not alone in strengthening its presence in Vietnam. Other carriers have recently added services to the country. MyFreighter launched a new flight to Hanoi, while MasKargo introduced a route to Ho Chi Minh City. These moves reflect broader industry recognition of Vietnam as a critical node in global supply chain diversification.
- CMA CGM launched a new freighter route from Paris CDG to Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport on May 9, 2026
- Boeing 777 freighter offers a capacity of approximately 100 tonnes per flight
- Vietnam handled 1.4 million tonnes of cargo in 2025, up 18% from 2024
- Exports by value grew 20% in the first four months of 2026
- Electronic product exports increased by over 45% in the same period
These developments underscore Vietnam’s rising importance as a manufacturing and logistics hub, especially for electronics and consumer goods. As global firms continue to nearshore production, air cargo capacity and reliability will remain critical factors in supply chain planning.
Source: Air Cargo News
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
