Atlas Air has initiated a new weekly air cargo route connecting Maastricht Aachen Airport in the Netherlands with Asia, including China, on behalf of MSC Air Cargo.
The service was officially announced in a press release from Maastricht Aachen Airport on January 9.
The inaugural flight, operated by a Boeing 777 freighter bearing MSC Air Cargo livery, departed from Almaty, Kazakhstan, and landed at Maastricht Aachen Airport at 9:45 PM on January 9.
The aircraft is part of a fleet of four newbuild Boeing 777 freighters delivered to Atlas Air, the last of which was received at the start of 2024.
Atlas Air operates these aircraft under an ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) agreement with MSC Air Cargo.
Route Details
The weekly service will transport e-commerce and general cargo. While China is a confirmed destination, Air Cargo News has reached out to Atlas Air and MSC Air Cargo for further details on additional destinations served in Asia.
Strategic Significance
Dean Boljuncic, head of commercial development at Maastricht Aachen Airport: “With every new route, we improve the connectivity of our airport, region, and the Netherlands.
“Our team is fully prepared to deliver the excellent handling services that our customers expect.
“We’ve worked closely with Atlas Air Cargo to train our staff, ensuring seamless operations that can support long-term and potentially expanded collaboration.”
Growing MSC Air Cargo Operations
MSC Air Cargo, which launched operations in December 2022, has chosen Liège Airport as its European hub.
This new route from Maastricht Aachen strengthens MSC Air Cargo’s presence in the region and enhances its ability to meet growing demand for air freight services, particularly in e-commerce.