Emirates SkyCargo has announced the launch of a new weekly freighter service connecting Milan (MXP) with New York (JFK) from 5thDecember 2026.
The service provides direct trade connectivity for exporters from Italy, particularly the Lombardy region, to the United States, one of the country’s most important trading partners. Additionally, on the return leg, the freighter also provides businesses in the US, particularly in the greater New York region, with more export connectivity to markets in the Middle East and Asia via Dubai.
Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo, said: “Milan is a key air cargo gateway for Italy and Europe where Emirates SkyCargo currently offers over 500 tonnes of weekly export capacity to global markets, including over 100 tonnes weekly bellyhold capacity on our passenger flights to New York. The new freighter service adds important maindeck capacity on a vital trade corridor, offering exporters greater access, flexibility and reliability when serving customers in the United States.
“Exports from the Greater New York region have seen strong growth, reflecting robust demand for reliable access to international markets. By combining enhanced freighter capacity with our extensive network of freighter and passenger services through Dubai, we are enhancing connectivity for pharmaceuticals, e-commerce, perishables and machinery from the US, while creating faster links to destinations across the Middle East, Asia and beyond.”
Powering exports from Italy to the US
The new freighter flight, operated by Emirates SkyCargo’s Boeing 777-F aircraft and offering around 100 tonnes of capacity per flight, has been launched to serve the growing demand for export capacity from Northern Italy and the Lombardy region to partner markets. Exports from Milan carried by Emirates SkyCargo grew 13% in FY 2025/26 compared to the previous year. By providing direct freighter connectivity from Milan to New York, the largest air cargo export destination for Italian goods, Emirates SkyCargo is creating faster and more efficient pathways for Italian exporters to reach customers across North America.
Emirates SkyCargo also operates a once-weekly freighter flight between Milan and Dubai (DWC). Key export commodities that move by air from Milan include pharmaceuticals, vaccines and clinical trial medication, luxury goods and fashion items, industrial equipment and machine parts, high-end automotives, fresh produce and specialty food products. Major export markets include the Middle East, United States, Australia and South Africa.
Emirates SkyCargo has facilitated increasing volumes of exports between Italy and its trading partners, with exports from the country growing at over 12% between FY 2024/25 and FY 2025/26. Every week, Emirates SkyCargo offers over 1,000 tonnes of export cargo capacity from its four Italian gateways- Bologna, Milan, Rome and Venice. The carrier also operates a strong road feeder service, connecting Italian businesses located beyond online gateways to Emirates SkyCargo’s network. The new freighter service demonstrates Emirates SkyCargo’s commitment to the whole Italian market and is a testament to potential opportunities across Italy.
Stronger footprint and increased exports in North America
From New York, the freighter service will provide more options for connecting cargo for businesses in Greater New York and Northeast USA. Emirates SkyCargo has been supporting a significant increase in exports from the region, with an increase of 23% in the volume of exports from JFK and EWR airports between FY 2024/25 and FY 2025/ 26. The freighter service unlocks seamless connections to high-growth markets across the Middle East, Asia and Oceania.
Key export commodities moving from New York include pharmaceuticals and healthcare products, perishables, e-commerce shipments, machinery and industrial components. By combining dedicated freighter capacity with Emirates SkyCargo’s extensive freighter and passenger network, the service offers customers greater flexibility, faster transit times and access to one of the world’s most extensive cargo networks.
In addition to the new freighter service to New York (JFK), Emirates SkyCargo has also launched freighter flights in 2026 to Los Angeles (LAX) and Dallas (DFW) while increasing frequencies to Miami (MIA), enhancing the overall connectivity between North America and its global network.
Emirates SkyCargo has embarked on an ambitious year of growth for its freighter fleet and network. The cargo carrier took delivery of eight new freighter aircraft, including seven Boeing 777-F production freighters and one Boeing 777-300ER special freighter. This expansion helped power the growth of Emirates SkyCargo’s freighter network from over 40 destinations in March 2026 to over 60 destinations by July 2026. In addition to dedicated freighter flights, the carrier also offers high-frequency belly-hold cargo capacity on Emirates’ fleet of passenger aircraft operating to destinations across six continents.
