MSC Air Cargo formalises partnership with Neutral Air Partner
The partnership will connect MSC Air Cargo with NAP’s network of freight forwarders, consolidators and logistics providers across more than 150 countries.
MSC Air Cargo has formalised a strategic partnership with Neutral Air Partner (NAP) to strengthen engagement with NAP’s global community of freight forwarders, consolidators and specialised logistics providers across more than 150 countries.
The partnership will support industry dialogue, commercial engagement and opportunities across regular air freight, specialised cargo, charter and project-driven movements. It will also connect NAP members with MSC Air Cargo’s expanding freighter network and specialist cargo capabilities.
The agreement builds on the existing relationship between the two organisations. MSC Air Cargo participated in OPENAP25 in Khao Lak, Thailand, where it was a major sponsor. Jannie Davel, CEO of MSC Air Cargo, and Alexander Padmore, Global MD, also joined NAP’s executive panel and conference stage to discuss challenges facing independent freight forwarders and consolidators.
“Our relationship with Neutral Air Partner has developed through direct engagement with its members and a shared understanding of the value of strong, dependable partnerships,” said Davel.
“Formalising this collaboration gives us an important platform to stay close to a highly experienced global forwarding community, better understand its evolving requirements and explore new opportunities together,” he added.
MSC Air Cargo was launched in late 2022 as the dedicated air freight carrier of the MSC Group. It currently operates seven Boeing 777 freighters and provides more than 50 scheduled and ad hoc connections across the Americas, Europe and Africa, with wider connectivity across the Americas, Asia Pacific and EMEA.
The carrier has also been expanding its Asia-Europe network. In March 2026, MSC Air Cargo launched a scheduled freighter service between Milan Malpensa and Shanghai Pudong using a Boeing 777-200 freighter. The service established a direct connection between the two airports and strengthened the carrier’s presence on the Asia-Europe trade lane.
Shanghai Pudong is a strategic gateway for MSC Air Cargo’s network. The carrier had also signed agreements with SF Express and Shanghai Airport Authority Logistics Development Co in late 2025 to support air cargo cooperation and the development of Shanghai Pudong as a core hub in its Asia-Pacific network.
MSC Air Cargo offers specialised products including Shipped Fresh, Shipped Pharma, Shipped Special – Aerospace and Shipped Special – Vehicles. These cover perishables, pharmaceuticals, aircraft engines, helicopters, aerospace components, vehicles and other high-value cargo. Its operations are certified under IATA CEIV Fresh and IATA CEIV Pharma.
The carrier is also expanding its freighter fleet. In July 2026, MSC Air Cargo ordered five Boeing 777-8 freighters at the Farnborough International Airshow. It was the carrier’s first order for the aircraft and will add capacity to its all-Boeing 777 freighter fleet as it expands its global network.
MSC Air Cargo began its air cargo operations with an ACMI agreement with Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, which operated four Boeing 777-200 freighters for the company. In 2023, MSC acquired Milan-based all-cargo carrier AlisCargo Airlines and gained an Italian Air Operator’s Certificate.
In October 2024, the carrier launched its first fully owned and operated Boeing 777 production freighter from Milan Malpensa. By March 2026, its owned-and-operated fleet had grown to three Italian-registered Boeing 777-200 freighters, alongside four Atlas Air-operated Boeing 777 freighters.
The Boeing 777-8 freighter is expected to enter service in 2028. MSC Air Cargo said the aircraft will provide additional efficiency, range and capacity as it develops its global air network.
Through the partnership, MSC Air Cargo will engage with NAP’s network of freight forwarders, consolidators and specialised logistics providers. NAP said the agreement will further strengthen its airline partner portfolio and connect independent air cargo professionals with carriers, capacity and specialised solutions across key global markets.
Christos Spyrou, Founder and CEO of Neutral Air Partner, said MSC Air Cargo’s participation at OPENAP 2025 allowed NAP members to engage directly with the carrier’s leadership and understand its ambitions, capabilities and approach to collaboration.
He said the experience created trust between the two organisations and that the strategic partnership was the next step in connecting NAP members with MSC Air Cargo’s growing capacity, specialist products and global network.
