MSC Air Cargo expects to receive its first Boeing 777-8F freighters in the early 2030s, reflecting the extended delivery timelines associated with Boeing’s next-generation 777X programme.
The Geneva-headquartered cargo airline, which operates under an Italian Air Operator Certificate (AOC) based in Milan, ordered five Boeing 777-8F freighters in December 2025. The order was officially confirmed in July 2026.
Speaking to Air Cargo News, Jayesh Ratada, Head of Commercial at MSC Air Cargo, said the anticipated delivery schedule was consistent with the current development timeline of the 777X programme.
“Considering the current delivery timelines of the entire 777X programme, we are presuming first deliveries to happen sometime in the early years of the next decade,” Ratada said.
Meanwhile, MSC Air Cargo is continuing to explore opportunities to expand its fleet capacity in response to growing demand for air cargo transportation. The potential growth in artificial intelligence-related shipments, some of which require dedicated widebody main-deck freighter capacity, could further increase the need for additional aircraft.
However, Ratada confirmed that the airline has not committed to leasing or purchasing any additional aircraft beyond its existing order for five 777-8Fs.
“We are constantly exploring other production and conversion options available in the market. But at this point in time, we have not committed to any additional capacity,” he said.
The global air cargo industry is facing increasing concerns over potential shortages of widebody freighter capacity, driven by the retirement of ageing aircraft and limited availability of suitable passenger aircraft for conversion into freighters.
Against this backdrop, Boeing’s 777-8F and Airbus’s A350F have attracted considerable interest from cargo operators seeking more fuel-efficient, next-generation freighters. However, production delays and substantial order backlogs mean that airlines placing orders for these aircraft must prepare for extended waiting periods.
Boeing currently has 89 orders for the 777-8F programme, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2028.
For MSC Air Cargo, the challenge in the coming years will be to balance its fleet expansion ambitions with the availability of suitable aircraft, as demand for specialised air freight capacity continues to evolve.