DHL, SIA enter agreement to operate 5 freighters based in Singapore

LOGISTICS company DHL Express has entered into an agreement with flag carrier Singapore Airlines (SIA) to deploy 5 Boeing 777 freighters, the companies said in a joint statement on Thursday (Mar 10).

The freighters will be based at Changi Airport and serve DHL's South Asia Hub located in Singapore. SIA will oversee the maintenance of the aircrafts, and SIA pilots will operate the aircraft on routes to the US via points in North Asia.

Travis Cobb, executive vice-president of global network operations and aviation at DHL, noted that the deployment can help expand its services linking the Asia-Pacific region with the Americas.

"Following the pandemic, we see good prospects for strong growth in trans-Pacific trade lanes," Cobb said.

The initial agreement is set for more than 4 years with the opportunity for an extension; the first aircraft will be delivered in July 2022, the second in October 2022, and the remaining 3 aircraft are planned for delivery throughout 2023.

Lee Lik Hsin, executive vice-president commercial at SIA, noted that basing the freighters in Singapore will "further reinforce Singapore's position as a key air cargo and e-commerce logistics hub, contributing to its growth and development".

DHL had in 2015 set up a 24-hour express hub facility at Changi Airport as part of its network infrastructure expansion plans in the region. Then, the facility was DHL's largest infrastructure investment in Singapore in the 43 years that it has been operating in the Republic.

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