NCA Phoenix

Another sunny day at Malpensa’s “Cargo City,” but this time it’s back in 2006 , and we’re seeing the then-new Nippon Cargo Airlines Phoenix (JA03KZ, id: 34018) on final approach, with Alitalia Cargo and Gemini Air Cargo MD11s, and the Italian Alps, in the background.

The Phoenix was delivered to NCA in October of 2006, so it had been running cargo for less than a month when contributor Alberto Sanarlitano snapped this image. The Phoenix is NCA’s third new-build 744F and has since been joined by five more active 744’s, and two more which were not taken up directly but leased to Cargo B (one is now stored, the other went to Air Bridge this year).

NCA’s newer livery still bears a resemblance to former partner ANA’s look, but the two companies are now completely separate – ANA having sold its stake in NCA to Nippon Yūsen (NYK Line) in 2005.

Sadly, Alitalia Cargo and Gemini Air Cargo are no more, but the Alps will be forever present.

Photographer: Alberto Sanarlitano. Click on the photo to see it at full size. To see more of Alberto’s photography, click here.

This photo may not be used without the express permission of Alberto Sanarlitano.