ECS Group resumed its partnership with CMA CGM Air Cargo, effective 1st April 2024, looking to redefine industry standards in operational efficiency, service quality, and technological innovation. Speaking to Air Cargo Week, ECS Group CEO Adrien Thominent outlined how the two sides are looking to pioneer innovative solutions and deliver a premier customer experience.
“Our group partnered with CMA CGM Air Cargo when CMA CGM Air Cargo started their activity almost three years ago, so we are reactivating and resuming our existing partnership.
“CMA CGM Air Cargo is coming from the sea freight activity where they are one of the top leading sea freight operators, and they come with their expertise.
“Sea freight activity is more advanced and developed than airfreight in their practises, so their behaviour, their expectations, their vision of the strategy are radically different from those of any other carrier. This is where we are learning a lot from their expertise.
“As a traditional player, it’s certainly a new opportunity to do business, a new way of seeing the business, which I think for the industry would be very positive. So we believe they will be a pioneer to change and transform.”
Expectations and benefits of the partnership
The partnership renewal comes as the two sides look to capitalise on growth opportunities in the market. ECS Group has been bolstering its network globally, while CMA is expecting to take delivery of a slate of new aircraft in 2026 as it targets becoming the largest freighter operator in France.
Thominet highlighted the mutual benefits of the renewed partnership: “The expectation of the airline itself is very interesting because they are in a very strong position now.
“For ECS Group, it’s very interesting because we will be the partner, and we will join them in their growth. It’s a very attractive and exciting challenge to help them in their journey.”
Individual approach
Underscoring the tailored nature of the partnership, Thominet laid out how the GSSA’s approach allows them to design and implement customised sales networks or support structures tailored to the unique needs and requirements of their customer in each region they operate in.
This ensures that CMA CGM Air Cargo, or any customer, receives the appropriate level of support and services to optimise its operations and effectively meet the demands of each market.
“First of all, there is a kind of unique cooperation between us and them… We provide a kind of à la carte solution depending on the country.
“We have been adding together our respective resources in terms of revenue management, business development, and business analysis.
“We have been providing the tools that we have been linking to our own tools as well, and the combination of the two systems makes it very efficient.”
