Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA) and Singapore Airlines Cargo (SIA Cargo) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a strategic partnership.
The proposed strategic partnership will build on existing block space arrangements between the two airlines that have been progressively expanded over the past five years.
As a first phase, NCA and SIA Cargo have agreed to introduce cargo codeshare services on routes between Tokyo and Singapore from the start of April 2018, subject to regulatory approval. When implemented, "customers of both carriers will enjoy added flexibility to better meet their needs," said the airlines in a joint statement.
NCA currently operates six weekly scheduled cargo flights to Singapore Changi Airport from Tokyo Narita International Airport using Boeing 747F aircraft while SIA Cargo connects Singapore to Tokyo with two daily flights to Narita International Airport, and three daily flights to Haneda Airport.
“NCA has maintained a continual presence in Singapore for over three decades, and we are excited to embark on new partnership initiatives with SIA Cargo under this agreement. The proposed codeshare service will pave the way for future ventures, leading to greater customer satisfaction,” said NCA president & chief executive, Fukashi Sakamo.
SIA Cargo president Chin Yau Seng said: “We value our longstanding relationship with NCA. The signing of this MOU marks our commitment to explore synergies and mutually enhance our product and service offerings for the benefit of our customers. Our planned codeshare services between Tokyo and Singapore represent an important first step in building a strategic partnership between our companies.”
SIA Cargo revenue for the third quarter of the 2017-18 financial year was up S$88m on higher freight carriage (+4.4%) and yield (+12.1%).
Operating profit for SIA Cargo rose by $35m to $88m in the quarter (+66.0%). Expenditure was up $53m, partly due to a foreign exchange loss against a gain last year, higher staff costs, and higher depreciation from engine overhauls. Cargo load factor rose by 2.4 percentage points to 68.3%.
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Codeshare Services Operated Using Nippon Cargo Airlines Aircraft
Flight Number
Aircraft Type
Days of
Operation
Sector
KZ283/SQ7601
B747F
Monday
Narita - Kansai -
Singapore
KZ283/SQ7601
B747F
Tuesday
Narita - Kansai -
Singapore
KZ283/SQ7601
B747F
Wednesday
Narita - Kansai -
Singapore
KZ283/SQ7601
B747F
Thursday
Narita - Kansai -
Singapore
KZ283/SQ7601
B747F
Friday
Narita - Kansai -
Singapore
KZ263/SQ7601
B747F
Saturday
Narita - Singapore
