MSC Air Cargo Partners with Hactl for Cargo Handling Services in Hong Kong

Expanding Services in Hong Kong

MSC Air Cargo began its first cargo flights from Milan Malpensa (Italy) to Hong Kong in July, initially operated through its subsidiary AlisCargo Airlines. By September of this year, AlisCargo Airlines was officially rebranded as MSC Air Cargo after MSC completed the acquisition of 100% of its shares. Hactl, one of Hong Kong’s leading providers of cargo handling services, has been chosen to manage these flights.

MSC Air Cargo will operate three weekly flights to Hong Kong using Boeing 777 freighters. This is a critical move to strengthen MSC’s logistics network in Asia and bolster its cargo transportation capabilities in the region.

Strategic Partnership

Previously, MSC Air Cargo partnered with Atlas Air through a crew, maintenance, and insurance (CMI) management agreement starting in December 2022, allowing it to operate flights to Hong Kong with operational support from its partner. Now, with the close cooperation of Hactl, MSC is not only expanding its services in Hong Kong but also increasing its presence in the highly competitive Asian air cargo market.

Jannie Davel, CEO of MSC Air Cargo, shared: "We are very excited about the potential of our newly expanded operations in Hong Kong. The long-standing and successful partnership between us and Hactl will provide a solid foundation for the growth of our business. Hactl’s extensive infrastructure and commitment to service quality give MSC the confidence to enter this new phase."

Hactl had previously handled AlisCargo Airlines’ flights during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the airline operated up to 20 modified Boeing 777 "preighters" each month. This illustrates the strong collaboration between the two parties even before the pandemic, laying the groundwork for further cooperation in the post-pandemic period.

MSC Air Cargo’s Growth

MSC Air Cargo is the air freight division of MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company), one of the largest shipping companies in the world. MSC's full acquisition of AlisCargo Airlines this year is part of its broader strategy to expand operations into air freight, helping the company complete its supply chain and offer more comprehensive logistics services.

Investing in air freight is also MSC’s way of addressing the growing demand for fast and efficient cargo transportation, especially as sea freight has faced challenges in recent times. With Hactl’s support in Hong Kong, MSC Air Cargo can leverage Hactl’s modern infrastructure, experience, and capacity to better serve its global customers.

The partnership between MSC Air Cargo and Hactl in Hong Kong not only marks a strategic milestone for MSC in the air cargo sector but also demonstrates the robust development of the global logistics ecosystem. As international trade continues to recover and grow post-pandemic, investing in infrastructure and expanding logistics networks has become crucial for major shipping companies like MSC to maintain their competitive edge.

Working alongside Hactl will help MSC Air Cargo enhance its position in the Asian market, especially in Hong Kong — one of the world’s largest air cargo hubs. This partnership promises to bring growth opportunities for both parties while reinforcing MSC’s role in the global logistics industry.

By Hoang Hung