AlisCargo (CP, Milan Malpensa) resumed flight operations on July 19, 2024, deploying its only B777-200F from Milan Malpensa to Hong Kong International on behalf of its parent company, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company.
I-MSCA (msn 68230) was delivered to the Italian operator on June 30-July 1, ferrying directly from Everett to Milan Malpensa. The airline operated a number of test flights around Milan and Brescia before inducting the freighter into revenue service. Its Milan-Hong Kong route will operate 2x weekly.
Italian civil aviation authority (Ente nazionale per l'aviazione civile - ENAC) records show AlisCargo reactivated its Operating Licence on July 1.
"The completion of the acquisition of AlisCargo and the receipt of this aircraft represent significant milestones for MSC strategy in the air cargo business. With our own European Air Operator's Certificate (AOC), we enhance our efficiency and capabilities to better serve our customer base and trade lanes," senior vice-president of MSC Air Cargo, Jannie Davel, said.
AlisCargo suspended flights in December 2022. At that time, it operated two makeshift B777-200ER freighters. It was acquired by MSC in mid-2023, with a restart initially pencilled in for "early 2024". MSC Air Cargo also charters four B777-200Fs from Atlas Air (5Y, New York JFK) under an exclusive long-term agreement. It currently has no plans to expand beyond the five maindeck freighters operating on its behalf.
Rivals CMA CGM and A.P. Moller - Maersk also have in-house cargo carriers, namely CMA CGM Air Cargo (2C, Paris CDG) and Maersk Air Cargo (DJ, Billund)
