DHL and SIA team up on new Asia-US freighter flight
17 / 10 / 2023
Source: DHL Express
DHL Express and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have partnered on a new freighter flight between Singapore and the US.
The service will be operated by a SIA Boeing 777 freighter and will operate five weekly flights on a rotation of Singapore-Nagoya-Los Angeles-Honolulu-Singapore, and one weekly flight at Singapore-Taipei-Nagoya-Nagoya-Cincinnati-Honolulu-Sydney-Singapore.
The flight is part of a crew and maintenance agreement the two companies signed in March 2022 to deploy five 777 freighters on services between South Asia, North Asia and North America, based at Changi Airport in Singapore.
DHL Express is the only company in Japan’s international express industry to use Nagoya’s Central Japan International Airport in the Chubu region of the country.
In June last year, the company launched a DHL Air UK service to the airport and increased flights in September of that year.
Tony Khan, president and representative director of DHL Express Japan said, ” We are the only company in the industry to take advantage of the strategic location of Central Japan International Airport [Nagoya].
“We will strive to provide even faster and more reliable services to support the growth of our customers in the Chubu region.”
Kenny Teo, general manager Japan, Singapore Airlines, added: “The start of SIA-DHL Express 777F services in Nagoya highlights Singapore Airlines’ longstanding partnership with DHL and it is a firm commitment to our cargo business.
“Our contribution will boost DHL Express’ expansion of its intercontinental air network and Central Japan International Airport’s position as a key air cargo and e-commerce logistics hub in Japan.”
The aircraft has a capacity of 102 tonnes and will have a joint livery of DHL and SIA.
So far, four of the five freighters that are part of the agreement have been deployed. They will all be based at Changi Airport.
The final aircraft is due to arrive later this year.
The initial agreement lasts four years and has an extension option.
When the partnership was first launched, the two airlines said the extra capacity would help meet e-commerce demand and that they were open to expansion in the future.
Lee Lik Hsin, executive vice president commercial, SIA, said in 2022: “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.”
DHL Express and Singapore Airlines partnership grows with B777F
