MSC Air Cargo: First Direct Flight from Malpensa to Tokyo
The first Italian flight operated by MSC Air Cargo, the MSC Group's air cargo division, has departed from Malpensa Airport. The Boeing 777-200 Freighter, adorned with the MSC livery in white with yellow and black stripes, landed at the Lombard airport from Liege Airport (Belgium) before departing for Tokyo, Japan. This inaugural flight is part of a weekly service, operating every Friday with a departure from Malpensa at 3:55 PM and arriving in Tokyo at 3:00 PM (local time), ensuring the delivery of goods by the following day. The aircraft has a maximum payload capacity of up to 100 tonnes and will primarily focus on exporting high-value Italian products, including luxury fashion and accessories, destined for the Far East markets.
Jannie Davel, Senior Vice President of MSC Air Cargo, stated, “We are delighted to have celebrated this significant inaugural flight dedicated to the Italian market alongside our clients. We are even more pleased to provide valuable Italian goods with an efficiency and weekly connection to some of today's most vibrant markets for high-value product exports. 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 operational since late 2022, when it received its first operational Boeing 777-200 Freighter for flights between Europe, Central America, and Asia. To date, the company operates 2 aircraft, with more on the way. In collaboration with SEA, the operator of Milan's airport system, the presentation of the new connection was held in the presence of over 35 local businesses and their representatives from airport authorities.
Francesco Raschi, Cargo and Real Estate Director of SEA Aeroporti di Milano, the airport which with 721,000 tons of cargo carried in 2022 now has a 65 percent 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."