It has been announced that DHL has signed an agreement with Singapore Airlines to operate five Boeing 777 freighters. The German logistics company will base five Boeing 777 freighters at Singapore Changi airport. The agreement will cover crew and maintenance. The agreement further demonstrates the desire for DHL to expand globally and meet the growing customer demand for air cargo.

How it will work

The Singapore-based aircraft will sport a dual DHL/Singapore Airlines livery. SIA pilots will command the jets which will operate flights to the US via points in North Asia. The agreement is set to last four years with the option for further extensions. Aircraft delivery will start from July 2022 onwards.

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SIA will operate the aircraft on behalf of DHL, with a joint livery. Photo: Singapore Airlines

Executive Vice President Commercial, Mr Lee Lik Hsin said,

“Today’s agreement builds on and strengthens the long-standing partnership between SIA and DHL. 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 is also providing 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 hub, contributing to its growth and development.”

Singapore Airlines Cargo

Singapore Airlines Cargo division operates aircraft to more than 90 destinations. The division operates dedicated cargo aircraft as well as providing the belly freight of passenger configured jets for Singapore Airlines and its low-cost subsidiary Scoot. At the Singapore Air Show this year, Singapore Airlines Cargo firmed up orders for seven Airbus A350F with options for five more of the type. They will be the first airline to operate this widebody freighter variant.

Singapore Airlines cargo A350F
With its Boeing 747 freighters nearly 20 years old, Singapore Airlines has ordered the new Airbus A350F. Photo: Airbus

DHL

Dalsey, Hillblom, and Lynn (DHL) was founded in 1960 in San Francisco by the three gentlemen the company is named after. The company was started after Larry Hillblom started working for an insurance company as a courier whilst studying law at the University of California. After the business started to grow, Hillblom enlisted fellow students Adrian Dalsey and Robert Lynn as partners and the rest is history. In 2001 Deutsche Post fully acquired the company. Today the company operates over 320 aircraft across its network of over 220 countries.

The freighters

The Boeing 777 freighter is one of the largest and most dependable twin-engine aircraft. It has a range of 4,970 miles and can handle a maximum revenue payload of 102 tons. It has a list price of $358.3 million, although airlines typically receive significant discounts from manufacturers.

Increase in cargo demand

Since the COVID pandemic hit passenger air travel demand, the air cargo sector has seen significant growth. Even as passenger numbers have begun to increase to pre-pandemic levels, air cargo operators are busier than ever. The increase in capacity that these aircraft bring will allow DHL and Singapore Airlines to take advantage of this continued strong demand and further demonstrates their commitment to the cargo business.