Emirates SkyCargo is further expanding its international freighter operations with the launch of a new weekly service between Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) and New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) from 5 December 2026.

The service will operate with a Boeing 777-F and will have around 100 tons of cargo capacity per flight. The new route aims to respond to increasing demand for export capacity from Northern Italy, particularly Lombardy, and will offer businesses on both sides of the Atlantic further access to international markets.

The link will provide Italian exporters with a direct air-cargo link with the United States, one of Italy’s key trading partners. In the other direction, US businesses, especially those operating in the Greater New York area, will gain increased export opportunities to the Middle East and Asia via Emirates SkyCargo's Dubai hub.

Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vise President, Emirates SkyCargo, said Milan was a key part of the carrier’s European network. The airline currently offers more than 500 tons of weekly export capacity from Milan to destinations around the world, including more than 100 tons of weekly capacity in the bellyhold of its passenger services to New York.

Abbas said the addition of a dedicated freighter service will add main-deck capacity to this important trade corridor and provide exporters with more access, operational flexibility and reliability in serving the US market.

He also noted the robust growth in exports from the Greater New York region, which reflected the continued demand for reliable international transport solutions. Emirates SkyCargo aims to enhance connectivity for pharmaceuticals, e-commerce shipments, perishables and machinery from the United States, as well as facilitate faster onward movements to the Middle East, Asia and other international destinations through its extensive passenger and cargo network through Dubai coupled with dedicated freighter operations.

Establishing Italian export links to North America

The new Milan–New York operation comes as Emirates SkyCargo’s Italian export activity continues to grow. The volumes of cargo exported from Milan via the carrier increased by 13% in FY 2025/26 compared to the previous financial year.

The launch of a direct freighter link to New York is especially important as the city is the biggest air cargo export market for Italian goods. The additional capacity is expected to provide more direct and efficient transportation options for Italian companies looking to serve customers across North America.

Emirates SkyCargo already operates a weekly freighter service between Milan and Dubai World Central (DWC) alongside the new route.

Pharmaceuticals, vaccines and clinical trial medicines, luxury goods, fashion products, industrial equipment, machinery components, high-end automobiles, fresh produce and specialist food products are the key air export commodities from Milan. The Middle East, the United States, Australia, South Africa are the main markets for these shipments.

Export growth has also been strong in the wider market of Italy. Between FY 2024/25 and FY 2025/26, Emirates SkyCargo’s export from Italy grew by more than 12%, a sign of rising trade volumes with the country’s international partners.

Through its four Italian gateways of Bologna, Milan, Rome and Venice, the carrier offers more than 1,000 tons of export cargo capacity each week. This is backed by a substantial road feeder network which links businesses outside the airline’s direct airport network to its wider international cargo operations.

The new Milan-New York route is therefore part of a wider strategy to boost Emirates SkyCargo’s presence across Italy and to respond to emerging opportunities across the country’s export market.

Additional capacity and connectivity across North America

The new service will also expand cargo handling and onward transport opportunities for companies based in Greater New York and the northeastern United States.

Emirates SkyCargo has recorded a substantial increase in export activity from the region, with volumes departing from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) rising by 23% between FY 2024/25 and FY 2025/26.

The additional freighter capacity will enable businesses to access a wider range of international destinations, particularly high-growth markets across the Middle East, Asia and Oceania.

Among the main commodities exported from New York are pharmaceuticals and healthcare products, perishables, e-commerce shipments, machinery and industrial components. By combining dedicated freighter capacity with the extensive bellyhold and freighter operations of its wider network, Emirates SkyCargo intends to provide customers with greater scheduling flexibility, shorter transit times and access to one of the world's most extensive air cargo networks.

The Milan–New York launch is part of a wider expansion of the carrier's North American operations. During 2026, Emirates SkyCargo has introduced freighter services to Los Angeles (LAX) and Dallas (DFW), while increasing flight frequencies to Miami (MIA). These developments are intended to improve connectivity between North America and the airline's global network.

Freighter fleet expansion to support international network expansion

Along with the growth of its route network, Emirates SkyCargo has made major investments in its dedicated freighter fleet.

The carrier has taken delivery of eight additional freighters, comprising seven new Boeing 777-F production freighters and a Boeing 777-300ER converted freighter.

The expansion of this fleet has allowed for the rapid growth of its own cargo network. By March 2026, Emirates SkyCargo’s freighter network coverage had surpassed 40 destinations and by July 2026, it was covering more than 60 destinations.

In addition to dedicated freighter services, the airline also has substantial bellyhold cargo capacity on Emirates' passenger fleet, which flies to destinations on six continents.

Emirates SkyCargo’s position in the international air freight market is further enhanced with the addition of Milan-New York, combining increased aircraft capacity, new transatlantic connections and its Dubai-based global distribution network to support growing trade flows between Europe, North America and other major commercial regions.