Atlas Air in Boeing 777F ACMI deal with MSC Air Cargo

Atlas Air will operate four new Boeing 777-200 freighters on a global ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance) basis for shipping company MSC’s newly launched cargo airline.

MSC Air Cargo is the latest cargo airline to be launched by a shipping firm – following on from Maersk Line and CMA CGM – as they look to offer a wider supply chain solution.

MSC said it had decided to launch the “solution” in response to customer demand and as a “complementary service to its container shipping solutions”.

The Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings subsidiary said that the first B777F will be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2022 to MSC Air Cargo, the airfreight arm of ocean container giant Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC).

Atlas’ order of these four aircraft was announced in January 2022.

John Dietrich, president and chief executive of Atlas Air Worldwide, said: “We are pleased to welcome MSC as a new customer, and look forward to supporting MSC as it develops its airfreight business and further enhances its position as a global leader in transportation and logistics.

“This new agreement will allow MSC to capitalize on the state-of-the-art service solutions provided by our aircraft and crews, as well as the unparalleled air cargo expertise brought by our Atlas team.”

Soren Toft, chief executive, MSC, said: “This strategic partnership with Atlas Air is the first step into this market and we plan to continue exploring various avenues to develop air cargo in a way that complements our core business of container shipping.

“Atlas Air’s fleet of B777 freighter aircraft is well-suited to support our entry into air cargo and this strategic initiative will ensure we meet the cargo requirements of our customers.”

MSC Air Cargo has been under development for several months and the new solution will be available from early 2023, following the delivery of the first MSC-branded B777-200F.

MSC has appointed Jannie Davel, formerly of Delta Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo and DHL to develop its air cargo business and to build the team that will implement it.

Toft said: “We are delighted to announce the development of MSC Air Cargo and to welcome Jannie Davel to spearhead this exciting new offering for MSC clients.

“This is our first step into this market and we plan to continue exploring various avenues to develop air cargo in a way that complements our core business of container shipping.”