MSC has bought the majority stake in AlisCargo Airlines, a Milan-based air freight carrier, with both companies confirming that MSC is expected to acquire 100% of AlisCargo Airlines at the beginning of the next year, once the air cargo carrier will restart operations with the delivery of a Boeing 777F.
MSC Air Cargo Senior Vice President, Jannie Davel stated, “The acquisition of a majority share in AlisCargo Airlines is a step towards expanding MSC’s Air Cargo solution capabilities, and ultimately providing our customers with a quality and consistent offering.”
The majority selling party is represented by the Leali Group, led by Domenico Alcide Leali who, after the success with Air Dolomiti started AlisCargo Airlines in 2019.
Giacomo Manzon, General Manager of AlisCargo Airlines said, “I am proud to see a group like MSC entering as a major shareholder of AlisCargo Airlines and developing further the project that Leali Group has initiated. I am thankful for MSC’s trust in us, and we will work hard together to make it a success story.”
MSC Air Cargo has been building up its air cargo offering through several partnerships with sales agents and software providers. MSC Air Cargo provides a complementary solution to the company’s core shipping services and operates two aircraft managed by Atlas Air Worldwide between Europe, Central America and Asia and will add two more in the next six months. Following the completion of the operation, MSC Air Cargo will have a new operating license and a fleet of five wide-body aircraft within the next 12 months.
Banca Finint acted as financial advisor to Leali Group. Gianni & Origoni acted as legal advisor to MSC and Leali Group, with two separate teams of lawyers from its Milan and Padua offices, respectively.