We’re back to cargo today, as DHL Express has entered into a Crew and Maintenance agreement with Singapore Airlines to deploy five Boeing 777 freighters.
This agreement marks a further step in DHL Express’ expansion of its intercontinental air network to meet customer demand in fast-growing international express shipping markets.
The aircraft and crew will be based at Singapore’s Changi Airport and serving DHL’s South Asia Hub. Meanwhile, the freighters will have a dual DHL-SIA livery, will be operated by Singapore pilots on routes to the United States of America via points in North Asia. Singapore Airlines will also oversee the maintenance of these aircraft.
How will they look? Like this.
It’s a little different from the usual Silver Kris on the tail of the aircraft.
The initial agreement is set for more than four years with the opportunity for an extension.
Implementation and deployment
As part of the agreement, the first aircraft delivery will be in July 2022, with the second in October 2022.
The remaining three aircraft are planned for delivery throughout 2023.
In Quotes
Mr Travis Cobb, Executive Vice President Global Network Operations and Aviation, DHL Express, said:
“With the deployment of five Boeing 777 freighters, we can expand our express service linking the Asia Pacific region with the Americas. Following the pandemic, we see good prospects for strong growth in trans-Pacific trade lanes. By collaborating with Singapore Airlines, we see a unique chance to establish a long-lasting relationship with a long time partner who shares common values and operates at the highest standard.”
Mr Lee Lik Hsin, Executive Vice President Commercial, SIA, said:
“Today’s agreement builds on and strengthens the long-standing partnership between SIA and DHL. This new freighter operation will support the fast-growing e-commerce segment, in addition to other key business segments that rely on trusted express services that DHL excels in providing. It also provides a foundation on which the partnership between SIA and DHL can be further expanded in the future. Basing these freighters at Changi Airport will further reinforce Singapore’s position as a key air cargo and e-commerce logistics hub, contributing to its growth and development.”
Mr Ken Lee, CEO DHL Express Asia Pacific, said:
“This new agreement guarantees capacity on our critical routes out of Singapore as we gear up for ongoing growth in Asia Pacific trade. It gives us greater flexibility to add new routes and optimise our aircraft utilisation in the face of unpredictable changes or sudden increases in demand.”
Fleet usage
DHL Express operates 320 320 dedicated aircraft across its global network of 220 countries and territories. DHL Aviation operates six airlines itself, whilst partnering with numerous other airlines and leasing additional capacity.
Meanwhile, Singapore Airlines operates seven Boeing 747-400F aircraft, with orders for the Airbus A350F. In addition to the dedicated cargo aircraft, the airline has access to the bellies of its passenger fleets of Singapore Airlines and Scoot.
The cargo play in full swing
I’ve been talking a lot about cargo recently (and no, we’re not becoming a cargo blog), because of the prominence it is now gaining. . For years, cargo planes have been ploughing trade back and forth quietly, with very little attention.
And that needs to change.
That all changed a couple of years ago for obvious reasons, where passenger freighters, small and larger freighters, pre-freighters and straight-up passenger aircraft were pressed into service to carry cargo back and forth as the pandemic create panics, as well as very tight supply lines and times.
As the world considers the things going on around it, as well as how to manage supply lines over the next few years, aviation is going to be playing its part. You only need to see the orders flooding in for new aircraft and conversions, with manufacturers playing their part.
It’s going to be interesting how these aircraft are used over the next few years, with the work they will have planned for them.
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