DHL has partnered with Singapore Airlines (SIA) on the operation of five B777 freighters in order to secure capacity out of Singapore.
The deal will see DHL Express deploy the five B777Fs with SIA on a crew and maintenance agreement (CM).
The first two aircraft will be delivered in July and October, with the remaining three aircraft planned for delivery throughout 2023.
The aircraft will be based at Singapore’s Changi Airport and serve DHL’s South Asia Hub at the airport. The freighters will sport a dual DHL-SIA livery and will be operated by SIA pilots on routes to the US via points in North Asia.
“This new agreement guarantees capacity on our critical routes out of Singapore as we gear up for ongoing growth in Asia Pacific trade,” said Ken Lee, chief executive of DHL Express Asia Pacific. “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.”
The initial agreement lasts four years and has an extension option.
Lee Lik Hsin, executive vice president commercial, SIA, said: “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.”
Both airlines have been investing in their widebody freighter aircraft capacity over recent weeks.
DHL Express yesterday announced an order for six B777Fs and in February, SIA finalised the order of seven A350Fs.
