MSC Air Cargo, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Group’s air cargo branch, has launched its maiden Italian route from Malpensa Airport.
The MSC-branded Boeing 777-200 Freighter landed at Lombard Airport from Liege Airport in Belgium before continuing on to Tokyo, Japan.
This maiden flight is part of a weekly service that departs Malpensa at 3.55 pm and arrives in Tokyo at 3.00 pm (local time), ensuring that items are delivered the next day.
The aircraft has a maximum cargo capacity of 100 tonnes and will largely focus on transporting high-value Italian items to Far Eastern markets, such as luxury clothes and accessories.
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Jannie Davel, Senior Vice President of MSC Air Cargo, said: “We are delighted to have celebrated this significant inaugural flight dedicated to the Italian market alongside our clients.
“MSC Air Cargo is in the early stages of development, and we have plans for significant investments to build and create more air transport solutions designed for products that need to reach their final destination at greater efficiency and as a top priority, including pharmaceuticals, perishable goods, or even automotive items.
“We want to enable the Italian market with even more options and ability to business their trading partners supporting national export.”
MSC Air Cargo has been in service since late 2022, when it got its first Boeing 777-200 Freighter for flights between Europe, Central America, and Asia. The firm now runs two planes.
The unveiling of the new connection was conducted in the presence of over 35 local companies and their representatives from airport authorities, in partnership with SEA, the operator of Milan’s airport system.
Francesco Raschi, Cargo and Real Estate Director of SEA Aeroporti di Milano, the airport which with 721,000 tonnes of cargo carried in 2022 now has a 65 per cent market share, stated: “We are pleased to welcome MSC Air Cargo to Malpensa and are delighted to have seen their first plane take off from here in Italy.
“We hope that this event marks the beginning of a significant development program at Malpensa, where all the major industry players are already present, working to support the development of the entire region.”
In June, MSC selected IBS Software, a SaaS solutions provider, to reform its air freight operations.
