Emirates SkyCargo is launching a weekly freighter service between Milan Malpensa and New York JFK from December 5, 2026, targeting growing demand from Northern Italy’s exporters and offering onward connections to the Middle East and Asia via Dubai on the return leg.
The route will be operated by a Boeing 777-F, carrying around 100 tonnes per flight. It adds to existing bellyhold capacity on Emirates passenger services between the two cities, which the carrier says already accounts for over 100 tonnes of weekly export capacity to New York.
“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,” Badr Abbas, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates SkyCargo said in a statement.
The launch follows a strong year for Milan cargo volumes. Exports carried by Emirates SkyCargo from Milan grew 13% in FY 2025/26 compared to the previous year. Across all four Italian gateways – Bologna, Milan, Rome and Venice – the carrier now offers over 1,000 tonnes of weekly export capacity, with Italy-wide export volumes growing at over 12 per cent between FY 2024/25 and FY 2025/26.
Key commodities moving outbound from Milan include pharmaceuticals, luxury goods, industrial equipment, and fresh produce. From New York, the return leg will carry pharmaceuticals, perishables, e-commerce shipments, and machinery. Emirates SkyCargo recorded a 23% increase in export volumes from JFK and Newark airports between FY 2024/25 and FY 2025/26.
The Milan–New York service is part of a wider North American push. The carrier has also launched freighter flights to Los Angeles and Dallas this year, and increased frequencies to Miami.
Its freighter network has grown from over 40 destinations in March 2026 to over 60 by July 2026, backed by the delivery of eight new freighter aircraft, including seven Boeing 777-F production freighters and one Boeing 777-300ER special freighter.
