Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl), Hong Kong's largest independent handler, announced that MSC Air Cargo had selected it as its ground handling partner in Hong Kong. 

"A new airline name is appearing in Hong Kong, with the imminent arrival of the first official flight of MSC Air Cargo, operated by MSC Air, after the purchase and rebranding of AlisCargo Airlines," Hactl said in a statement.

"The Milan-based carrier – part of the giant Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) empire – has chosen Hong Kong's largest independent ground handler, Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Ltd (Hactl), as its service partner," it added.

Hactl noted that MSC-owned B777 freighters first appeared in Hong Kong in December 2022, with the flights operated on a CMI (crewing, maintenance and insurance) basis through another Hactl customer.

Then in August 2023, MSC acquired a majority stake in Italian carrier AlisCargo Airlines, which had previously operated up to 20 B777 "preighters" per month into Hong Kong during COVID.

These flights were also handled by Hactl, which provided cargo terminal handling and documentation services.

Earlier in 2024, MSC acquired the remaining shares in AlisCargo Airlines and re-commenced operations into Hong Kong in July, using its own B777Fs on AlisCargo Airlines' Air Operators Certificate (AOC).

"The new flights were once again handled by Hactl, which now added ramp handling to create a one-stop-shop service for the freighter operator," the air cargo handler said.

After changing AlisCargo Airlines' name on September 5, MSC Air started operating into Hong Kong under the new brand on September 10, flying three times weekly from its Milan base.

MSC Air Cargo's fleet of five B777Fs also serves Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, Mexico City, Quito, Xiamen, Seoul and Karaganda.

"We are excited about the potential for our newly expanded Hong Kong operation and are very pleased to extend the successful historic collaboration between Hactl and ourselves," said Jannie Davel, senior vice president of MSC Air Cargo. "Their extensive facilities for freighter operators and their clear focus on service quality will provide us with a strong base from which to grow our business."

Joanna Li, executive director – commercial and business development at Hactl, also welcomed the development. 

"We are delighted to welcome back an old friend under its new name and with its greatly increased capacity," she said.

"We wish the new MSC Air venture every success and look forward to playing a key role in its successful development in the Asia market," Li added.