MSC Air Cargo launches its own Boeing 777 freighter with a special event

At a special event in Milan Malpensa Airport in Italy, MSC Air Cargo launched its newest aircraft (I-MSCA), a brand new Boeing 777 production freighter. This is the first aircraft fully owned and operated by MSC Air Cargo through MSC Air, the rebranded AlisCargo that was acquired by MSC last year.

The aircraft, named after one of the hottest stars in the universe Alfirk, is the first aircraft to be registered in Italy in over 30 years. With this launch, MSC Air Cargo becomes the only Italian wide-body freighter operator. The other four Boing 777 freighters in MSC Air Cargo’s fleet are operated by American cargo airline and ACMI operator Atlas Air.

The event, held inside the Milan Malpensa Airport, was attended by MSC Group CEO Soren Toft and MSC Air Cargo CEO Jannie Davel, along with partners and customers from around the world.

Speaking at the event, Toft was generous in his praise for the MSC Air Cargo team lead by Davel for “building something truly special.” “We could not have accomplished this without you and your team and your relentless efforts. We notice it, don’t worry. Maybe we don’t say this as much,” he added.

In addition to the formal proceedings, attendees were treated to captivating performances by Italian artists, including a special showcase by the gymnasts of the Italian Gymnastics Association, celebrating Italy’s rich cultural and artistic heritage.

The event also marks the two-year anniversary of MSC Air Cargo. It reaffirmed MSC Air Cargo’s commitment to excellence, partnership, and delivering cutting-edge logistics solutions as the company continues to strengthen its global network. The new aircraft symbolizes not just a technical achievement but a shared journey toward the future of air cargo, built on collaboration and commitment.

"This celebration is a reflection of our progress and the power of our partnerships," said Davel while addressing the gathering.

When MSC Air Cargo was formally launched in October 2022 it started with just five people and it was yet to take delivery of the first of the four B777 freighters that would eventually be operated by Atlas Air. Two years later in October 2024, MSC Air Cargo boasts of a team of 70 plus people and a robust network of four B777 freighters operated by Atlas Air and a fifth B777F operated under its own Air Operator's Certificate (AOC), based in Milan, Italy. When MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company planned the launch of a cargo airline in 2022, the Geneva headquartered shipping giant appointed Jannie Davel with the responsibility of building a brand new cargo airline. Davel, who joined MSC as the senior vice president for air cargo, has been promoted to be the CEO of MSC Air Cargo on its second anniversary.

In an earlier exclusive interview to The STAT Trade Times Davel spoke extensively about the challenging journey of creating a cargo airline from nothing.

“We didn’t wait for the market to be perfect or for all conditions to align; we focused on building a solid foundation from day one. Our goal was to create a resilient and adaptable airline, able to face headwinds, rather than just benefiting from tailwinds. In just two years, we’ve grown to five wide-body freighters, operating globally—a significant achievement.”