PARIS, April 16 (Reuters) - Shipping giant CMA CGM's air

cargo branch will take delivery of two Boeing 777

Freighters later this year as it opens a new trans-Pacific route

and has ordered a fifth one for next year, it said on Tuesday.

The French group has been pushing to expand its reach in

logistics beyond maritime freight, supported by huge shipping

profits in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The first aircraft, scheduled for delivery next June, will

allow operations on the trans-Pacific from the summer, in

anticipation of the high season. The second aircraft will be

delivered during the last quarter of 2024 and will also be

deployed on the transpacific," CMA CGM said in a statement.

The first B777-200F due to operate on the trans-Pacific

route will serve Hong Kong, Chicago, and Seoul airports while

the second will connect mainland China to North America, CMA CGM

said. The flights will be operated by Atlas Air.

CMA CGM AIR CARGO's fleet already includes two Boeing B777F

and three Airbus A330F planes.

The company is due to take delivery of another B777-200F in

the first quarter of 2025.

With the delivery of eight Airbus A350F from 2026, the

company's fleet will include 16 cargo planes.