SINGAPORE, 16 August 2022 – DHL Express, the world’s leading international express service provider, has welcomed the arrival of its new Boeing 777 Freighter at Singapore Changi Airport. The freighter, 9V-DHA, which sports a dual DHL – Singapore Airlines (SIA) livery, has a maximum capacity of 102 tons. SIA will operate it on routes to the United States of America via South Korea thrice weekly from August 2022.
Strategic Location
Executive Vice President for Aviation of DHL Express, Robert Hyslop believes that Singapore is the strategic location to strengthen its network.
“Our global DHL Express aviation network consists of a combination of owned and partner airlines, which allows us to respond to increasing customer demand with agility and flexibility. The new Boeing 777 Freighter demonstrates our ongoing effort to strengthen our network and adjust flight routes, as well as lower our carbon emissions to achieve greener logistics. Singapore Airlines’ expertise in flight operations will enable us to better meet our customers’ needs in cross-border commerce, as we leverage the strategic location of our South Asia Hub in Singapore.”
Fast-Growing e-Commerce Segment
SIA’s Executive Vice President Commercial, Lee Lik Hsin confidences that SIA’s firm commitment in air cargo plays a vital role in keeping global supply chains open.
“SIA’s longstanding partnership with DHL Express reinforces Singapore’s position as a key air cargo and e-commerce logistics hub, and highlights our firm commitment to our cargo business. Air cargo also plays a vital role in keeping global supply chains open. Apart from supporting the fast-growing e-commerce segment, this new freighter operation provides a foundation to expand the partnership between SIA and DHL in the future.”
Sustainable Global Air Freight Market
Boeing’s Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing, Asia Pacific, Christy Reese are thrilled that the partnership between DHL Express and Singapore Airlines will be predicated on the strength of Boeing 777 Freighters.
“The versatile 777 Freighter is the world’s largest, most capable twin-engine freighter and can fly long-range trans-Pacific missions in excess of 6,000 nautical miles with 20 percent more payload than other large freighters like the 747-400F. The airplane, which is capable of carrying a maximum payload of 102 tons, will deliver superior ton-per-mile economics for DHL Express and Singapore Airlines as they look to sustainably address increased demand in the global air freight market.”
In March 2022, DHL Express and SIA signed a Crew and Maintenance Agreement to deploy five Boeing 777 Freighters. These freighters will be operated by SIA pilots, with the maintenance overseen by SIA. The second Boeing 777 Freighter is slated to enter into service in November 2022, following which both freighters will operate the Singapore-Incheon-Los Angeles-Honolulu-Singapore route six times weekly. The remaining three freighters are planned for delivery throughout 2023. Following this, all five freighters will operate on routes between the United States and Singapore via points in North Asia and Australia.
The deal will allow Singapore Airlines pilots to operate the special freighters to the United States via various points in North Asia. At the same time, ground and maintenance crews look after the planes like any other SQ plane.
DHL Express was motivated to partner with the Star Alliance carrier after noticing the strong potential for growth in trans-Pacific trade lanes. Collaborating with the flag carrier will also help DHL Express expand its services across the Asia-Pacific and the Americas by connecting the two. DHL Express continuously invests to meet steady growth in cross-border time-sensitive shipments. It operates over 320 dedicated aircraft across its global network of 220 countries and territories. The Boeing 777 freighters are the world’s largest, longest range, and most capable twin-engine freighters that also contribute to DHL Express’s sustainability goals, reducing CO2 emissions by 18 percent compared to the legacy B747-400s.
SIA’s cargo division operates to more than 90 destinations as part of its current network, which includes a fleet of freighters as well as the bellyhold space of the SIA and Scoot passenger aircraft. The airline recently ordered Airbus A350F freighters as part of its fleet renewal program. SIA continues to invest in its cargo capabilities, capitalizing on healthy demand fueled by growth in e-commerce, fresh produce, and pharmaceuticals, among other segments.
Do you think that the Boeing 777F operations will be a strong foundation of a partnership between SIA and DHL Express in the future? Comment below.
