MSC Air Cargo
MSC Air Cargo is a privately held air freight carrier and subsidiary of MSC Group, operating seven Boeing 777 freighters across the Americas, Europe, and Africa. It provides scheduled and charter services specializing in pharmaceutical, perishable, aerospace, and high-value vehicle cargo.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersGeneva, Switzerland
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What MSC Air Cargo does
MSC Air Cargo is the dedicated air freight subsidiary of MSC Group, launched in late 2022 to complement MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company's container shipping business. The carrier operates a fleet of Boeing 777 freighters — four operated by Atlas Air on its behalf since 2022, plus three additional aircraft operated by MSC Air (a wholly owned subsidiary formed after the 2024 acquisition of AlisCargo) — bringing the total fleet to seven wide-body freighters by mid-2026. The company is privately held and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland under MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A., with charter commercial operations anchored in the EU, US, and Hong Kong to support global customer coverage.
The carrier sells four core products under the MSC Air Cargo brand: Shipped Fresh for perishable goods (flowers, produce, seafood) backed by IATA CEIV Fresh certification and Do Not Split priority uplift protocols; Shipped Pharma for pharmaceuticals and biologics under IATA CEIV Pharma and GDP-aligned cold-chain procedures, with access to Envirotainer and CSafe active containers; Shipped Special – Aerospace for oversized aerospace cargo including AOG engines, helicopters, and components handled by certified loadmasters; and Shipped Special – Vehicle for standard, non-standard, and high-value vehicles. Charter Services complete the portfolio with tailored full and part-charter solutions for urgent, ad-hoc, or scheduled program cargo. Underlying technology includes the modern Boeing 777 freighter platform for fuel efficiency on long-haul routes, temperature-controlled infrastructure across approved stations with CAPA deviation management, and digital tracking and operational visibility tools.
Revenue is generated on a transaction-fee basis through per-kilogram cargo rates, fuel surcharges, and handling fees for scheduled services, alongside bespoke charter contracts. The go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales via website quote and booking forms, strategic partnerships with freight forwarder networks (notably Neutral Air Partner covering 150+ countries), and dedicated charter commercial teams targeting pharmaceutical manufacturers, agricultural shippers, aerospace operators, and automotive clients. Over its first three years, MSC Air Cargo operated 72 connections across the Americas, Europe, and Africa, completing 5,705 flights and delivering more than 270 million kilograms of cargo — a footprint that, combined with IATA certifications and MSC Group's capital backing, positions the carrier in the specialized air freight segment rather than the generalist belly-cargo market.
MSC Air Cargo firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MSC Air Cargo
- Legal name
- MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A.
- Website
- https://mscaircargo.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- MSC Air Cargo is a privately held air freight carrier and subsidiary of MSC Group, operating seven Boeing 777 freighters across the Americas, Europe, and Africa. It provides scheduled and charter services specializing in pharmaceutical, perishable, aerospace, and high-value vehicle cargo.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MSC Air Cargo industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Air Freight Services
- NAICS
- Scheduled Freight Air Transportation (481112), Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation (481212)
- SIC
- Air Transportation, Scheduled (4512)
- akta.pro primary industry
- General Cargo Air Freight Carriers (Scheduled & Charter) (TLADAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Air Freight Charter Operators (THABAEAD), Air Cargo Charter Specialists (On-Demand) (TLADAAAE), Defense & Aerospace Project Cargo (Military/Aircraft Components) (TLADAGAJ), Oversized / Out-of-Gauge & Heavy-Lift Air Freight (Aircraft Constraints, Special Handling) (TLACAAAG)
Keywords
Where MSC Air Cargo is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Geneva
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
MSC Air Cargo business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Scheduled Air Cargo Services: Regular scheduled freighter services across 72 connections in Americas, Europe, and Africa using Boeing 777 aircraft. Revenue generated through per-kilogram cargo rates, fuel surcharges, and handling fees for scheduled shipments.
- Charter Services: Tailored air cargo charter solutions for urgent, ad-hoc shipments or scheduled programs for industrial projects and seasonal demand. Revenue generated through charter contracts with flexible capacity solutions including full and part-charter options.
- Specialized Cargo Handling: Premium handling services for temperature-controlled (pharma, perishables), aerospace, and high-value vehicle cargo. Additional revenue from specialized handling protocols, active containers, and monitoring services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Custom pricing based on cargo type, route, weight, and service requirements |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
MSC Air Cargo product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MSC Air Cargo operates a fleet of Boeing 777 freighters providing scheduled air cargo services and tailored charter solutions across 72 connections in the Americas, Europe, and Africa. The company specializes in transporting time-sensitive and high-value commodities including pharmaceuticals, perishables, aerospace components, and vehicles through dedicated product lines (Shipped Fresh, Shipped Pharma, Shipped Special).
Product overview
MSC Air Cargo is an air freight carrier operating a fleet of seven Boeing 777 freighters launched in late 2022 as part of the MSC Group's logistics portfolio. The company offers four core cargo products: Shipped Fresh (perishable goods), Shipped Pharma (pharmaceutical transport), Shipped Special – Aerospace (aircraft engines, helicopters, aerospace components), and Shipped Special – Vehicle (vehicles and high-value equipment), plus Charter Services for tailored ad-hoc and scheduled cargo flights. The product portfolio is unified under the MSC Air Cargo brand, complementing MSC's container shipping solutions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Shipped Fresh: Dedicated product for perishable goods, including flowers, fruit, seafood, and fresh food. Priority uplift, temperature-managed handling, and standardized processes work together to protect product quality and shelf life.
- Shipped Pharma
- Shipped Special - Aerospace
- Shipped Special - Vehicle
Products and services
- Shipped Fresh Dedicated air freight product for perishable goods including flowers, fruit, seafood, and fresh food, featuring priority uplift, temperature-managed handling, and standardized processes to protect product quality and shelf life. CEIV Fresh certified.
- Shipped Pharma Air freight for pharmaceutical and healthcare products aligned with CEIV Pharma standards, supporting temperature-controlled and non-temperature-controlled shipments with GDP-aligned procedures, active temperature monitoring, and access to Envirotainer and CSafe active containers.
- Shipped Special - Aerospace Reliable air freight for oversized, heavy, and high-value aerospace cargo including aircraft engines (AOG), helicopters, and critical components, handled as standalone projects with route-specific transport plans, engineered loading solutions, certified loadmasters, and AOG priority service.
- Shipped Special - Vehicle Advanced air freight for vehicle shipments covering standard and non-standard vehicles as well as high-value equipment such as supercars, electric vehicles, and prototypes, with shipment planning, operational oversight, and white-glove handling.
- Charter Services Tailored air cargo charter solutions built on flexibility, handling urgent ad-hoc shipments and scheduled programs for industrial projects or seasonal demand using modern Boeing 777 freighters. Supported by both Italian and American Air Operating Certificates providing wider routing options.
Quantifiable outcome
- 270+ million kilograms of cargo delivered in first three years of operations
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use MSC Air Cargo
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
MSC Air Cargo technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
MSC Air Cargo partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Neutral Air PartnercoreMSC Air Cargo formalized a strategic partnership with Neutral Air Partner in September 2026, engaging with its network of freight forwarders across 150+ countries. The partnership aims to strengthen industry dialogue and commercial opportunities, extending MSC Air Cargo's reach through Neutral Air Partner's established freight forwarding relationships.
- BoeingcoreBoeing secured new aircraft orders from MSC Air Cargo at the Farnborough Airshow in 2026. MSC Air Cargo operates a fleet of Boeing 777 freighters and continues to expand through new aircraft orders from Boeing.
- AlisCargo (MSC Air)coreAcquired in 2024, AlisCargo was launched as MSC Air—a fully owned subsidiary of MSC Air Cargo. By mid-2026, MSC Air will be operating three Boeing 777 aircraft, bringing the total MSC Air Cargo fleet to seven wide-body freighters. This subsidiary extends operational capabilities and provides additional aircraft capacity.
- Atlas AircorePartnership established in 2022 where Atlas Air operates four Boeing 777-200 Freighters on behalf of MSC Air Cargo, providing additional capacity and operational support for the growing air cargo business.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
MSC Air Cargo competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Cargolux: Luxembourg-based all-cargo airline operating Boeing 747 freighters globally; a direct scheduled and charter competitor with strong pharma/perishables specialization, overlapping directly with MSC Air Cargo's product mix.
- Cathay Cargo: Cargo arm of Cathay Pacific, one of the world's largest air cargo carriers with a deep Asia hub; competes head-to-head with MSC Air Cargo on scheduled freight and temperature-controlled pharma shipments.
- Emirates SkyCargo: Air cargo division of Emirates operating a large wide-body freighter fleet through Dubai; competes directly on pharma, perishables, vehicles and aerospace cargo with global scheduled and charter services.
- Atlas Air: US-based cargo carrier and ACMI operator; both a direct competitor on global airfreight and MSC Air Cargo's operating partner for four Boeing 777-200 Freighters, making it a uniquely dual-role peer.
- Lufthansa Cargo: Freight division of Lufthansa Group operating a fleet of dedicated freighters plus belly capacity; a direct scheduled and charter competitor particularly strong on Europe–Asia and pharma cold-chain.
- Korean Air Cargo: Cargo division of Korean Air with a large freighter fleet focused on transpacific and intra-Asia lanes; comparable in product mix (pharma, perishables, special cargo) and a key reference point for MSC Air Cargo's Asia expansion ambitions.
- Qatar Airways Cargo: Cargo division of Qatar Airways operating modern Boeing 777 freighters through Doha; competes directly on pharma, perishables and special cargo with similar aircraft type and global scheduled network.
Broad incumbents
- DHL Aviation: Air freight arm of Deutsche Post DHL, the global integrator; competes with MSC Air Cargo across express, scheduled and charter air cargo while offering a much broader end-to-end logistics portfolio.
- FedEx Express: Global integrator with a massive air fleet and hub network; overlaps with MSC Air Cargo on time-definite international freight while operating a far broader door-to-door delivery platform.
Emerging players
- AirBridgeCargo: Russia-based scheduled cargo carrier historically focused on Europe–Asia routes with Boeing 747 freighters; an emerging/regional competitor with comparable freighter model though currently constrained by geopolitical factors.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
MSC Air Cargo social profiles
Digital presenceMSC Air Cargo compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
MSC Air Cargo financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MSC Air Cargo leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
MSC Air Cargo subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
MSC Air Cargo funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MSC Air Cargo M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MSC Air Cargo
What does MSC Air Cargo do?
MSC Air Cargo operates a fleet of Boeing 777 freighters providing scheduled air cargo services and tailored charter solutions across 72 connections in the Americas, Europe, and Africa. The company specializes in transporting time-sensitive and high-value commodities including pharmaceuticals, perishables, aerospace components, and vehicles through dedicated product lines (Shipped Fresh, Shipped Pharma, Shipped Special).
Is MSC Air Cargo a public or private company?
MSC Air Cargo is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was MSC Air Cargo founded?
MSC Air Cargo was founded in 2022.
Where is MSC Air Cargo based?
MSC Air Cargo is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does MSC Air Cargo make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Scheduled Air Cargo Services are the primary driver. The others are charter Services and specialized Cargo Handling.
Who are MSC Air Cargo's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cargolux, Cathay Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo, Atlas Air, Lufthansa Cargo, Korean Air Cargo and Qatar Airways Cargo. Broad incumbents are DHL Aviation and FedEx Express. AirBridgeCargo is listed as an emerging player.
Does MSC Air Cargo have an API?
No public API is recorded for MSC Air Cargo.
What industry is MSC Air Cargo in?
MSC Air Cargo's product category is Air Freight Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLADAAAA, General Cargo Air Freight Carriers (Scheduled & Charter), with a secondary code of THABAEAD, Air Freight Charter Operators. Its NAICS code is 481112 and its SIC code is 4512.