DUBAI- Emirates SkyCargo is expanding its transatlantic operations with a new dedicated freighter service connecting Milan, Italy, with New York, United States. The weekly service, linking Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) with John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), will begin on December 5, 2026, strengthening cargo connectivity between two important commercial markets.
The new route will be operated by Emirates (EK) using its Boeing 777-F freighter aircraft, which can carry approximately 100 tonnes of cargo per flight. The expansion comes as the carrier reports increasing demand from Italian exporters and businesses in the northeastern United States, creating opportunities for additional trade connections through its international network.
New Milan New York Route
The new service will provide Italian exporters with additional direct cargo capacity to the United States, particularly benefiting businesses across Lombardy and northern Italy.
New York is the largest air cargo export destination for Italian goods, making the connection an important addition to Emirates SkyCargo’s European operations.
The decision follows a 13% year-on-year increase in exports from Milan handled by Emirates SkyCargo during the 2025/26 financial year.
The carrier aims to accommodate this growth by introducing dedicated main-deck capacity alongside the cargo space already available on its passenger aircraft.
The Boeing 777-F freighter will transport a range of commodities from Milan, including pharmaceuticals, vaccines, clinical trial medications, luxury goods, fashion products, industrial equipment and machinery components.
High-end automobiles, fresh produce and speciality food products are also among the commodities moving through the airport.
Emirates SkyCargo currently provides more than 500 tonnes of weekly export capacity from Milan to international markets. This includes over 100 tonnes of weekly bellyhold capacity on passenger flights operating to New York, in addition to its existing weekly dedicated freighter connection between Milan and Dubai World Central (DWC).
Stronger US Connectivity
The new route will also improve export opportunities for businesses in the Greater New York region. Cargo travelling from the United States will gain additional connectivity to markets across the Middle East and Asia through Emirates’ Dubai hub.
Exports from the New York region have also increased. Emirates SkyCargo reported a 23% rise in export volumes from New York’s JFK and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) between FY 2024/25 and FY 2025/26.
Key commodities moving from the United States include pharmaceuticals, healthcare products, perishable goods, e-commerce shipments, machinery and industrial components.
The additional freighter capacity will provide businesses with more options for reaching international markets.
Emirates SkyCargo’s Expanding Freighter Network
The Milan-New York connection forms part of a broader expansion of Emirates SkyCargo’s North American operations.
During 2026, the carrier introduced dedicated freighter services to Los Angeles (LAX) and Dallas (DFW), while increasing flight frequencies to Miami (MIA).
Its wider expansion has been supported by the delivery of eight additional freighter aircraft, comprising seven Boeing 777-F production freighters and one converted Boeing 777-300ER special freighter.
These aircraft helped Emirates SkyCargo increase its dedicated freighter network from more than 40 destinations in March 2026 to over 60 destinations by July 2026. The carrier also uses the bellyhold capacity of Emirates’ passenger fleet to transport cargo across six continents.
With the new Milan-New York service, Emirates SkyCargo is adding capacity to an important transatlantic trade corridor while strengthening connections between European exporters, American businesses and international markets through Dubai.
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