DHL and Singapore Airlines Sign Contract for Five Cargo Aircraft

DHL Express has signed a so-called CM contract (Crew & Maintenance) for five Boeing 777 cargo aircraft with Singapore Airlines (SIA). This agreement is another step in expanding DHL Express’s intercontinental air freight network to meet customer demand in the rapidly growing international express shipping markets.

(Bonn/Singapore) “By providing five Boeing 777 cargo aircraft, we can expand our express service between the Asia-Pacific region and America. We are optimistic about the growth on the transpacific trade routes following the easing of the pandemic. In collaborating with Singapore Airlines, we see a unique opportunity to build a long-term relationship with a longstanding partner who shares our values and meets the highest quality standards,” says Travis Cobb, EVP Global Network Operations and Aviation at DHL Express.

The cargo aircraft will be stationed at Changi Airport in Singapore and will serve DHL’s South Asia Hub there. They will be painted in two colors and carry the logos of DHL and SIA, will be flown by SIA pilots, and will operate routes to the USA with stopovers in Northeast Asia. SIA will also take care of the maintenance of the aircraft.

The original agreement has a term of more than four years with the possibility of extension. Under the contract, the first aircraft is scheduled to be delivered in July 2022 and the second in October 2022. The remaining three aircraft are expected to be ready throughout 2023.

Paving the Way for Further Expansion of the Partnership

Lee Lik Hsin, Executive Vice President Commercial at SIA, said: “With today’s agreement, SIA and DHL are further expanding their long-standing partnership. These new cargo aircraft will support the rapidly growing e-commerce segment, as well as other important business segments that rely on DHL’s premium express services. Furthermore, SIA and DHL are paving the way for further expansion of their partnership in the future with this agreement. The stationing of these aircraft at Changi Airport will strengthen Singapore’s position as a key air freight and e-commerce logistics hub and contribute to the growth and development of the country.”

Additional Capacity on Critical Routes

“This new agreement guarantees additional capacity on our critical routes out of Singapore, allowing us to keep pace with the ongoing growth of trade in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Ken Lee, CEO of DHL Express Asia Pacific. “It gives us greater flexibility to add new routes and optimize the utilization of our aircraft in the face of unpredictable changes or a sudden surge in demand.”

DHL Express continuously invests in its fleet to keep up with the steady growth in cross-border, time-sensitive shipments. The company operates more than 320 of its own aircraft in its global network, which spans 220 countries and territories. The Boeing 777 aircraft are the largest, longest-range, and most powerful twin-engine cargo aircraft in the world. By reducing CO₂ emissions by 18 percent compared to older cargo aircraft of the B747-400 type, they will also contribute to DHL’s sustainability goals.

Further Investments in Capacity Expansion

SIA’s cargo division serves more than 90 destinations in its existing network and utilizes not only its own fleet of cargo aircraft but also the cargo space of SIA and Scoot passenger aircraft. As part of its fleet renewal program, the airline recently ordered Airbus A350F cargo aircraft. Due to the high demand driven by the growth of segments such as online retail, fresh produce, and pharmaceuticals, SIA continues to invest in expanding its cargo capacity.

Photo: © DHL Express