air-cargo

CMA CGM Air Cargo Launches Paris-Hanoi Freighter Service

CMA CGM Air Cargo has initiated a new dedicated freighter route connecting Paris and Hanoi, capitalizing on surging demand from Vietnam's air cargo sector. The service launched May 9 with a Boeing 777 freighter offering approximately 100 tonnes of capacity per flight, with a stop in Uzbekistan on the return leg. A second flight operated on May 12. Vietnam's airfreight market has grown rapidly in recent years, handling 4 million tonnes of cargo with an increase of more than 18%, as manufacturers diversify operations away from China amid U.S. tariff pressures. Electronics exports surged over 45% in early 2026, driven by major producers including Samsung, LG, Pegatron and Foxconn expanding Vietnamese operations. The market faces headwinds including fuel availability constraints from Middle East tensions and congestion at Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport, prompting forwarders to establish alternative handling facilities.