MSC Air Cargo Expands Its Global Network and Operational Capabilities

The new Boeing 777-200 Freighter, I-MSCB Bellatrix, forms part of MSC Air Cargo’s expanded long-haul capacity, giving MSC Air Cargo greater flexibility to serve key trade lanes and respond to growing customer demand. Boeing handed over the aircraft at its Everett Delivery Center, located at Paine Field in Everett, Washington, in a formal ceremony that included a ribbon-cutting.

Operating under MSC Air’s European AOC, I-MSCB Bellatrix is a state-of-the-art widebody freighter and the second newly built aircraft the company has registered in Italy. The addition reflects MSC Air Cargo’s ongoing investment in Italy’s aviation sector and its ambition to deliver high-quality, customer-focused air freight solutions aligned to the broader MSC Group logistics network. 

The aircraft also supports MSC Air Cargo’s modern fleet strategy. The 777F’s design and operating performance produce lower emissions per ton of cargo transported than previous-generation freighters. 

The aircraft’s additional capacity is also expected to support growth on Asia–Europe corridors, with further route details to be shared in due course.

Less than two months after Bellatrix joined the fleet, MSC Air Cargo took delivery of I-MSCC "Castor" at Boeing's Everett Delivery Center in Seattle on March 11, 2026.  The aircraft brings MSC Air Cargo's fleet to seven freighters.

Castor adds further depth to MSC Air Cargo’s Europe–Asia network. Its entry into service expands the company’s Italian gateway coverage, beyond Milan Malpensa (MXP) to Rome Fiumicino (FCO), connecting both airports with key Asian cargo destinations.

Commenting on the latest delivery, Jannie Davel, CEO of MSC Air Cargo, said: "Each addition to our fleet is a commitment to our customers, to the trade lanes we serve, and to the long-term foundation we are building. With the delivery of Castor, we reach seven Boeing 777 Freighters, reinforcing our ability to serve customers where and when it matters most. Reliability and long-term partnerships are what drive every decision we make."

Building on this momentum, MSC Air Cargo launched a new, direct Milan Malpensa–Shanghai Pudong (MXP–PVG) service in early March 2026.

Shanghai serves as a key connection point between Asian markets, Europe and other destinations around the world, especially for specialized and time-sensitive cargo. The new MXP–PVG service underscores MSC Air Cargo’s commitment to Shanghai Pudong Airport as a strategic gateway for international trade within its global network.

The MXP-PVG service sits alongside a broader set of partnerships supporting MSC Air Cargo’s growth in Asia. In late 2025, the company signed two Memoranda of Understanding: one with SF Express to expand an existing collaboration across air cargo cooperation and Asia-Europe connectivity, and another with Shanghai Airport Authority Logistics Development Co—a subsidiary of Shanghai Airport Authority (AVINEX)—to support Shanghai Pudong’s development as a core hub in MSC Air Cargo’s Asia-Pacific network.

“The inauguration of our scheduled MXP–PVG service marks an important step in strengthening our long-haul network between Europe and Asia,” said Jannie Davel, CEO of MSC Air Cargo. “Shanghai Pudong is a key gateway for global trade and this route reflects our focus on delivering consistent capacity, reliable operations and high service standards on critical Asia–Europe corridors.” 

With each new milestone, MSC Air Cargo progresses further in its goal to establish a durable, long-term air cargo network that prioritizes operational reliability, customer satisfaction and impactful partnerships across major global markets. The expanded capacity, now reaching seven Boeing 777 Freighters, has allowed MSC Air Cargo to increase the breadth of its capabilities, specialized service offerings and operations. Introducing solutions such as Shipped Fresh, Shipped Pharma and Shipped Special, MSC Air Cargo is supporting a wider range of industries, including automotive, high-tech, perishable and aerospace industries, among other time-critical sectors.

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