MSC in talks to acquire Italy's AlisCargo - report

MSC eyes majority stake in Neos Air parent - report

MSC acquires Italy's AlisCargo, to restart in 1Q24

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has acquired a majority stake in AlisCargo (CP, Milan Malpensa) and intends to relaunch the dormant Italian cargo airline at the beginning of 2024 with a B777 freighter.

The transaction is expected to complete early next year when the Switzerland-headquartered shipping giant aims to acquire a 100% stake in AlisCargo.

"The acquisition of a majority share in AlisCargo is a step towards expanding MSC Air Cargo solution capabilities, and ultimately providing our customers with a quality and consistent offering. I am equally proud that we have found a partner that shares a common vision with us and has built a strong foundation for which we hope to further develop," Senior Vice-President Jannie Davel said.

MSC plans to outfit AlisCargo with five widebody freighters within a year.

The Italian cargo specialist has been dormant since late 2022. It operated two B777-200ER makeshift freighters, which was increasingly unviable given an EASA ban on ferrying cargo in the cabins, which was reinstated in mid-2022, and declining demand for cargo-only flights...

Italian CAA suspends AlisCargo's OL amid operational rejig

The Italian civil aviation authority (Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione Civile - ENAC) has suspended the Operating Licence of cargo specialist AlisCargo (CP, Milan Malpensa) as of December 27, 2022.

The regulator did not issue any statement other than the update of its listing of active airlines. The carrier also did not comment on the development.

The Italian carrier launched in mid-2021 using two B777-200ERs in a makeshift freighter configuration. Although it has since replaced the two B777s with another two units of the same type, it continued to deploy them on cargo-only routes. EI-ISB (msn 32859) was active until December 20 on a long-term cargo ACMI with ITA Airways (AZ, Rome Fiumicino), but has been parked at Rome Fiumicino since then. In turn, EI-ISD (msn 32860) has been in storage since October 2022, having previously also flown for ITA Airways.

Since August 1, 2022, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) no longer allows airlines under its jurisdiction to carry cargo in the cabins of passenger aircraft, leaving AlisCargo...

Italy's AlisCargo to add B767s