MSC Air Cargo orders five Boeing B777-8 freighters

MSC Air Cargo has ordered five Boeing 777-8 freighters, its first purchase of the type, adding to an all-Boeing freighter fleet.

Boeing and MSC Air Cargo announced the order at the Farnborough International Airshow on July 21. The deal marks MSC Air Cargo's first commitment to the 777-8 freighter, Boeing's newest widebody freighter and a member of the 777X family.

MSC Air Cargo currently operates an all-Boeing 777 freighter fleet. The 777-8F will add capacity as the carrier expands its global network.

"With this order, we are investing in the long-term future of MSC Air Cargo and in the customers, we serve,” said Jannie Davel, CEO of MSC Air Cargo. "The 777-8 freighter gives us the efficiency, range and capacity to serve our customers reliably for years to come, while advancing our commitment to more sustainable operations."

Boeing positions the 777-8F as the industry's most capable twin-engine freighter, offering the highest payload and the lowest fuel burn, emissions and operating cost per tonne among large freighters. Widebody freighters carry roughly 75% of global air cargo capacity.

"MSC Air Cargo is investing in its future with this order for large widebody freighter aircraft that will further enhance the capability and reach of its global air network," said Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. "The 777-8 freighter will be the most efficient aircraft in its class and will connect MSC Air Cargo's hubs to key international markets."

MSC Air Cargo traces its origin to September 2022, when Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) appointed Davel, previously of Delta Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo and DHL, to lead the development of its air cargo business. Announcing the venture, MSC CEO Soren Toft described it as the company's first step into air cargo, complementing its core container-shipping business. To power the new airline, MSC signed a long-term ACMI agreement under which Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings would operate four new Boeing 777-200 factory-built freighters for MSC on a global basis, with the first delivery in the fourth quarter of 2022.

MSC's ambitions soon extended beyond ACMI capacity. In 2023, MSC completed the acquisition of Milan-based Italian all-cargo carrier AlisCargo Airlines, gaining its most valuable asset: an Italian Air Operator's Certificate (AOC). Under this certificate, rebranded as MSC Air, the company began building its own owned-and-operated airline. In October 2024, MSC Air Cargo launched its first fully owned and operated Boeing 777 production freighter, registered I-MSCA and named Alfirk, becoming the only Italian wide-body freighter operator, based at Milan Malpensa.

The owned fleet has since expanded steadily. At the Air Cargo Europe conference in June 2025, Davel announced plans to add two more Boeing 777 Freighters to the owned-and-operated fleet, registered under the Italian AOC and based at Milan Malpensa. By March 2026, MSC Air Cargo had taken delivery of its third Italian-registered Boeing 777-200 freighter, handed over at Boeing's Everett facility and operated under its European AOC, bringing the Milan-based owned fleet to three aircraft alongside its separate four Atlas Air-operated B777 freighters.

Boeing officially launched the 777-8 Freighter programme in January 2022, with Qatar Airways signing on as launch customer through a firm order for 34 jets plus options for 16 more, worth over $20 billion at list prices, also converting 20 of its existing 777X orders. Boeing positioned it as the world's largest twin-engine cargo jet, offering a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency, emissions and operating costs over the current 777F, competing directly with the composite-built Airbus A350F.

Since launch, the programme has logged 80 orders, including Cargolux, Korean Air and China Airlines. MSC Air Cargo becomes the third Europe-based operator to order the type. However, the aircraft's entry into service has slipped and is now expected only in 2028.