Tasman Cargo launches Changi freighter flights for DHL
01 / 06 / 2021
Tasman Cargo Airlines has launched a new freighter service between Changi Airport and Australia, becoming the first freighter operator based in the country to offer services to the Singapore hub.
The five-times-per-week services utilisises a B767-300 freighter and operates on a loop of Melbourne-Darwin-Singapore (bi-directional).
The flight is chartered by DHL Express and will carry cross-border e-commerce volumes from across the express firm’s global and Southwest Pacific network.
Sean Wall, executive vice president, network operations & aviation, DHL Express Asia Pacific, said: “Australia is growing as an important market for DHL as local businesses continue to adapt, innovate and adopt e-commerce practices for their business needs.
“To cope with rising shipment volume and ensure we continue to provide timely deliveries to our customers, we have swiftly responded by adding flights connecting Australia to the rest of the world.”
According to Australia Post E-commerce Industry Report 2021, online shopping in Australia hit an all-time high in 2020 with purchases growing 57% percent year on year.
Tasman Cargo Airlines is DHL Express’ tenth airline partner at Changi and there are now more than 100 weekly flights mounted by DHL’s airline partners through the airport.
Changi Airport said that in 2020, Australia was Changi Airport’s fourth largest air cargo market, with airfreight throughput reaching over 134,000 tonnes for the year.
“In addition to Singapore Airlines and Kalitta Air’s scheduled freighter services to Australia, several airlines including Qantas, Scoot and Sri Lankan Airlines have also operated cargo-only passenger flights between Singapore and Australia,” the airport said.
“The much-needed airfreight capacity between both countries provided by airlines during this period has catered to consumer demand for essentials such as e-commerce products, perishables and medical supplies.
“Notably, the first batch of Covid-19 vaccines to Australia was successfully shipped from Europe through the Changi air cargo hub in February 2021, and there have been subsequent vaccines shipments since.”
