French logistics giant CMA CGM Group is strengthening its presence in the US market and planning a major expansion of its air cargo capacity. As part of a major $20 billion investment strategy, the company will build a new air cargo hub at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). The planned expansion, scheduled to be completed by 2030, underscores the importance of the US market to the French company, which has already been operating in the United States for 35 years.
The expansion will focus on strengthening CMA CGM Air Cargo's fleet with new Boeing 777F freighters, which will be based at Chicago O'Hare Airport. The company expects to take delivery of two more of these aircraft in 2025, bringing the total number of 777Fs in its fleet to five. The basing of these aircraft in Chicago is intended to further strengthen trade links between the US, Asia, and Europe.
CMA CGM relies on air freight as a growth driver
CMA CGM Air Cargo was founded in March 2021 to meet the growing demand for global logistics solutions. The company currently operates a mix of Airbus A330-200F and Boeing 777F freighters and maintains regular cargo flights from its main base at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to Asia and North America.
The company originally started with two former Qatar Airways Airbus A330-200Fs before expanding its fleet with the more powerful Boeing 777Fs. In addition to the two expected 777F deliveries in 2025, CMA CGM also ordered four Airbus A2021Fs as launch customer in December 350, an order that doubled to a total of eight aircraft in April 2024.
With the planned air cargo center in Chicago, CMA CGM Air Cargo will significantly expand its North American operations. The city is already an important hub for international cargo traffic, thanks to its central location between the most important economic regions of the United States. By stationing five 777Fs in Chicago, the company plans to establish new routes to Asia and Europe and optimize existing routes.
Strategic importance of the investment
The official announcement of the multi-billion dollar investment was made during a meeting between CMA CGM CEO Rodolphe Saadé and US President Donald Trump at the White House on March 6, 2025. According to Saadé, the expansion in the US represents a crucial step to further develop the company's logistics capacities and strengthen trade relations between the US and the global economy.
"I am proud to further expand our long-standing relationship with the United States through this $20 billion commitment to the nation's maritime future and logistics infrastructure. Over the next four years, we will significantly expand our U.S.-flagged fleet, expand the capacity of key container ports on both coasts, build state-of-the-art warehouses across the country, and establish a major air cargo hub in Chicago. This will create 10.000 new jobs in the U.S. and further strengthen our partnership with American customers and governments," Saadé said.
In addition to the air freight expansion, CMA CGM plans a comprehensive modernization of its maritime infrastructure. The company will expand several major US ports and establish new logistics centers to improve supply chain efficiency. CMA CGM already transports over five million containers to and from the US annually and employs more than 15.000 people in 40 states.
US logistics market in transition
The logistics sector in the United States is undergoing a period of transformation. The increasing flow of goods between North America, Asia, and Europe, as well as the growing demand for fast and reliable supply chains, have led large companies to significantly expand their investments in modern infrastructure and technologies.
The expansion of CMA CGM's air cargo business fits into this context. Chicago is already one of the most important air cargo locations in the United States. O'Hare International Airport is one of the largest cargo hubs in North America, recording air cargo volumes of over two million tons in 2023. By stationing five new 777F freighters, CMA CGM will be better able to serve the growing demand for international cargo capacity.
Growing competition among global logistics providers is driving companies to continually improve their infrastructure and services. Major competitors such as FedEx, UPS, and DHL are also investing heavily in their air freight capacities to consolidate their market position. With the new air freight hub in Chicago, CMA CGM is sending a clear signal that it intends to play a leading role in this sector.
CMA CGM's decision to massively expand its air freight business in the United States is a logical step in the company's global expansion strategy. With the planned investment in Chicago, the company will not only strengthen its market position in North America but also further optimize international trade flows between the United States, Asia, and Europe.
While the exact implementation of the planned measures remains to be seen, it is clear that CMA CGM is setting the course for the future with its $20 billion investment. At a time when global supply chains are becoming increasingly important, the company's new air freight hub in Chicago is providing a decisive impetus for the further development of the logistics sector in the United States.
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