Category Archives: Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines redeploys its Airbus A380s, drops New York JFK

Singapore Airlines is redeploying its Airbus A380s on more profitable routes along with its other aircraft types.

The airline will withdraw the A380 on services to New York (JFK) starting on May 15, 2023.

The Singapore – Frankfurt – New York (JFK) route will be reassigned to the Boeing 777-300ER.

The airline made this announcement with the full details of its fleet and route reorgaization:

Singapore Airlines (SIA) will boost frequencies to destinations across East Asia and South East Asia, resume flights to Busan, and increase Airbus A380 services to Australia during the Northern Summer operating season (March 26 to October 29, 2023), supporting the strong projected demand to these destinations.

As a result, SIA’s flight frequencies will reach or exceed pre-pandemic levels in multiple destinations across East Asia and South East Asia by March 2024. These include Bangkok in Thailand; Busan and Seoul in South Korea; Fukuoka, Nagoya, and Osaka in Japan; Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam; Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia; Siem Reap in Cambodia; and Taipei in Taiwan, China.

In addition, in Australia, Melbourne will get a new daily A380 service and Sydney will get a second daily A380 service.

East Asia

SIA will reinstate flight to Busan from June 2, 2023, with SQ616 (Singapore to Busan) and SQ615 (Busan to Singapore) operating four weekly services on the Boeing 737-8 MAX 8. SIA will add a fourth daily service between Singapore and Seoul, SQ612 and SQ611, from June 1, 2023 with the Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner.

From May 1, 2023, SIA will increase the flight frequencies of SQ618 (Singapore to Osaka) and SQ619 (Osaka to Singapore) from four-times weekly to a daily service. This will bring services to Osaka to 14-times weekly.

From March 26, 2023, the Airline will operate SQ892 and SQ893, a daily service between Singapore and Hong Kong SAR, using the A380 aircraft. SIA will also reinstate SQ896 and SQ897, a daily service between Singapore and Hong Kong SAR, with the Airbus A350-900 medium-haul aircraft, from October 1, 2023. This will see SIA operating four daily flights to Hong Kong SAR.

SIA will step up the flight frequencies of SQ876 (Singapore to Taipei) and SQ877 (Taipei to Singapore) from four-times weekly to a daily service from March 26, 2023. SQ878 and SQ879 between the two cities will also increase from three-times weekly to a daily service from May 31, 2023. This will bring the weekly services to Taipei up to 14-times weekly.

South East Asia

The Airline will add a fifth daily service, SQ706 and SQ705, between Singapore and Bangkok, operated by the A350-900 medium-haul aircraft, from October 1, 2023. From March 26, 2023, SIA will also add a fourth daily service, SQ726 and SQ725, between Singapore and Phuket, operated by the Boeing 737-800NG.

South West Pacific

The A380 will return to Melbourne after almost four years on May 16, 2023, while Sydney will receive a second daily A380 from May 17, 2023. The A380 will replace the 777-300ER on SQ237 from Singapore to Melbourne, and the return service SQ228. SIA will also operate the A380 on SQ221 from Singapore to Sydney and the return flight SQ232, instead of the A350-900 medium-haul.

The Americas and Europe

As part of its review of travel demand and capacity needs, SIA will adjust other parts of its network.

From May 15, 2023, SIA will operate the Boeing 777-300ER on SQ26 and SQ25, the daily Singapore-Frankfurt-New York (JFK) service, instead of the Airbus A380. SIA’s 777-300ER aircraft offer First Class cabins, which include the full roster of the Airline’s world-class products and amenities.

Customers will continue to enjoy two daily non-stop services to New York – flights SQ24 and SQ23 between Singapore and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, as well as SQ22 and SQ21 between Singapore and New York’s Newark Liberty International Airport.

Flights SQ36 and SQ35 between Singapore and Los Angeles will operate thrice weekly, instead of a daily service, from March 26, 2023. Customers will continue to have the option of two existing daily flights to Los Angeles via the nonstop service SQ38 and SQ37 between the two cities, or flights SQ12 and SQ11, which serve the Singapore-Tokyo (Narita)-Los Angeles route.

From June 27, 2023, the service between Singapore and Seattle/Tacoma, SQ28 and SQ27, will remain as a thrice-weekly service.

Flights SQ52 and SQ51 that serve the Singapore-Manchester-Houston route will operate thrice weekly instead of four-times weekly from March 28, 2023. SIA will launch a new twice-weekly service between Singapore and Manchester, SQ302 and SQ301, operated by the A350-900 long-haul aircraft, from April 2, 2023.

Top Copyright Photo: Singapore Airlines Airbus A380-841 9V-SKK (msn 051) LHR (SPA). Image: 959462.

Singapore Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Singapore Airlines Group to reinstate flights to East Asian markets

Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group will reinstate flights and increase services to more key destinations across its network in the coming weeks, including points in key East Asian markets as border restrictions further ease across the region.

This will allow SIA and Scoot to meet the buoyant demand for international travel, particularly towards the year-end holiday season and in the first quarter of 2023.

Ms JoAnn Tan, Senior Vice President Marketing Planning, Singapore Airlines, said: “Buoyed by the further easing of entry requirements in Hong Kong SAR, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, China we are seeing strong demand for air travel towards the year-end holiday season. Many customers are especially keen on destinations that have remained largely closed over the last few years. The SIA Group aims to offer even more value and options for our customers as they make their holiday plans, and we will be nimble in adjusting our services in response to the demand for air travel.”

Japan

From 30 October 2022, SIA will mount SQ636, an additional daily service to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, on top of the existing daily SQ634 service to Haneda and daily SQ638 service to Tokyo’s Narita Airport. Together with the daily SQ12 service from Singapore to Los Angeles via Tokyo (Narita), SIA will operate four daily services into Tokyo, Japan’s capital.

SIA will reinstate SQ618 from Singapore to Osaka on 30 October 2022, bringing services between Singapore and Osaka to twice daily. The SQ656 service to Fukuoka will increase to three flights per week.

Currently, Scoot operates daily flights to Tokyo (Narita), as well as four-times weekly flights to Tokyo (Narita) via Taipei, and five-times weekly flights to Osaka. From 30 October 2022, the frequencies of TR808 to Tokyo (Narita), TR898 to Tokyo (Narita) via Taipei, and TR818 to Osaka, will all increase to daily services. Scoot will also mount TR890, a seasonal four-times weekly non-stop flight to Sapporo from 2 November 2022 to 27 February 2023. TR892, a three-times weekly flight to Sapporo via Taipei will also commence on 1 November 2022.

South Korea

From 30 October 2022, SIA will add SQ606, a new daily service to Seoul. Together with the current SQ600 and SQ608 daily services to Seoul, this will bring SIA’s operations to South Korea’s capital to thrice daily. 

On 30 October 2022, Scoot will reinstate TR896 as a five-times weekly Singapore-Taipei-Seoul service. From 5 November 2022, Scoot will also increase the frequency of flights to Jeju to five-times weekly, up from the current thrice-weekly service.

Taiwan, China

From 31 October 2022, SQ876 will be reinstated as a four-time weekly service to Taipei. This is on top of the current three-times weekly SQ878 service to Taipei.

With Scoot stepping up services to Tokyo (Narita) and Sapporo via Taipei, and the reinstatement of the Singapore-Taipei-Seoul services, the airline will operate 18 weekly flights to Taipei.

Hong Kong SAR

SIA aims to increase its twice-daily services to Hong Kong SAR, to three-times daily, subject to regulatory approvals. 

Scoot currently operates four-times weekly services to Hong Kong SAR. From 30 October 2022, the frequency of its flights will be increased to daily services. 

Mainland China

SIA reinstated twice-weekly Beijing-Singapore services on 27 September 2022. SIA will resume SQ842, a weekly service to Chengdu from 11 October 2022, and aims to increase frequencies and resume services to more points in mainland China, subject to regulatory approvals.

Scoot resumed weekly flights into Fuzhou and increased the flight frequency to Nanjing to twice weekly on 26 September 2022. Scoot will resume a weekly TR188 service to Hangzhou from 3 October 2022, a weekly TR116 service to Zhengzhou from 12 October 2022, and a weekly TR120 service to Wuhan from 13 October 2022. From 11 October 2022, TR138 to Tianjin will be increased to a twice-weekly service, up from the current weekly service.

Also in October, Scoot will launch operations to Lombok and Makassar in Indonesia, and resume services to Pekanbaru and Yogyakarta.

The SIA Group’s passenger network  is projected to cover 110 destinations in 36 countries and territories1  on 1 November 2022. The SIA Group will continue to closely monitor the demand for air travel and adjust its services accordingly.

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1Number of destinations and countries/territories includes Singapore.

DHL Express and Singapore Airlines partnership takes off with new Boeing freighter aircraft

Singapore to operate 5 Boeing 777Fs for DHL

DHL Express has welcomed the arrival of its new Boeing 777F freighter at Singapore Changi Airport.

The freighter, which sports a dual DHL-Singapore Airlines (SIA) livery, has a maximum capacity of 102 tons.

SIA will operate it on routes to the United States of America via South Korea thrice weekly from August 2022.

In March 2022, DHL Express and SIA signed a Crew and Maintenance agreement to deploy five Boeing 777F freighters. These freighters will be operated by SIA pilots, with the maintenance overseen by SIA.

The second Boeing 777 freighter is slated to enter into service in November 2022, following which both freighters will operate the Singapore-Incheon-Los Angeles-Honolulu-Singapore route six times weekly.

The remaining three freighters are planned for delivery throughout 2023.

Following this, all five freighters will operate on routes between the United States and Singapore via points in North Asia and Australia.

Top Copyright Photo: DHL – Singapore Airlines Boeing 777F 9V-DHA (msn 67140) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 958332.

Singapore Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

Singapore Airlines resumes nonstop flights to Rome Fiumicino

Singapore Airlines has resumed nonstop flight from Singapore to Rome (Fiumicino).

The restored route will operate three days a week.

Singapore Airlines is the first airline to have restored nonstop connections to East Asia at Leonardo da Vinci since the onset of the pandemic.

Marco Finelli reporting from Italy.

Singapore Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

SIA Group reduces its net yearly loss by 78%

SIA Group (Singapore Airlines) issued this financial report:

  • Passenger carriage for FY2021/22 up six-fold as travel restrictions ease
  • Record full-year cargo revenue on strong demand and robust yields
  • Operating cash surplus of $824 million for the full year
  • Strong momentum in forward sales across key markets and all cabin classes
  • Transformation programme reinforces SIA Group’s leadership position asoperations ramp upSIA GROUP FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE Financial Year FY2021/22 – Profit and LossThe SIA Group financial performance for the financial year FY2021/22 is summarised as follows:

The Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group carried 3.9 million passengers in FY2021/22, up six-fold from a year before, with international air travel recovering in the last six months as global border restrictions eased. The Group ramped up passenger capacity (measured in available seat-kilometres) in a calibrated manner, growing from 24% of pre-Covid levels in April 2021 to 51% by the end of FY2021/22 in March 2022.

Singapore’s launch and subsequent expansion of the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme was the game changer for the Group. It facilitated quarantine-free mass travel for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic began, and significantly boosted the demand for flights to and through Singapore. By deploying capacity and increasing services in an agile manner, SIA and Scoot were among the first to launch flights for all VTL points. This allowed the carriers to capture the pent-up demand for air travel as it returned.

As a result, passenger flown revenue grew by $2,121 million (+309.6%) year-on-year to $2,806 million. This was on the back of a 614.9% growth in traffic (revenue-passenger kilometres), which outpaced the capacity expansion of 215.7% and resulted in the passenger load factor rising 16.8 percentage points to 30.1%. Cargo flown revenue reached a record $4,339 million (+$1,630 million or +60.2%), driven by strong demand amid continued capacity constraints for both sea freight and air freight. This led to a 44.5% increase in loads carried, and 10.8% rise in yields. Consequently, Group revenue rose $3,799 million (+99.6%) year-on-year to $7,615 million.

Group expenditure grew by $1,896 million (+30.0%) year-on-year to $8,225 million. This increase consisted of a $1,173 million increase (+115.5%) in net fuel costs, a $1,015 million increase (+19.9%) in non-fuel expenditure, and an offset of $292 million from the year-on-year impact of the fuel hedging ineffectiveness recorded last year, as well as fair value changes on fuel derivatives. Net fuel cost rose to $2,189 million, mainly on higher fuel prices (+$1,081 million) and an increase in volume uplifted (+$661 million), which was partially offset by a swing from a fuel hedging loss to a gain (-$553 million). The increase in non-fuel expenditure by 19.9% was well within the 215.7% increase in passenger capacity and the 50.1% increase in cargo capacity.

The SIA Group recorded an operating loss of $610 million, an improvement of $1,903 million (+75.7%) from the $2,513 million loss a year before.

Impairment charges for aircraft of $51 million were recorded for the year (-$1,683 million or -97.1% year-on-year). This was mainly due to impairment charges for two Boeing 737-800s deemed surplus to requirements, as well as a further write-down to three previously impaired 777-300ERs due to a change in aircraft trade-in plans. This follows a review of the Group’s network requirements, as well as the market values of the aircraft in its fleet in FY2021/22.

The Group posted a net loss of $962 million for the year, an improvement of $3,309 million (+77.5%). This was primarily driven by better operating performance (+$1,903 million) and lower non-cash impairment charges (+$1,894 million), and partially offset by a $532 million reduction in tax credit due to the lower net loss.

The Group recorded an operating cash surplus1 of $824 million for FY2021/22, an improvement of $3,195 million on the back of its stronger performance.

Second Half FY2021/22 – Profit and Loss

The Group recorded an operating profit of $10 million for the six months to 31 March 2022, compared to a $620 million operating loss in the first half (+$630 million). This came as borders reopened in almost all key markets, and as the rapid expansion of VTLs during the six months supported the demand for air travel.

Group revenue rose $1,961 million (+69.4%) half-on-half to $4,788 million. Passenger flown revenue increased by $1,300 million (+172.6%) to $2,053 million as passenger traffic grew 257.2%, outpacing the 46.2% expansion in capacity. As a result, passenger load factor improved 23.4 percentage points to 39.6% in the second half. Cargo flown revenue increased by $589 million (+31.4%) as the yields (+22.1%) and loads carried (+7.6%) were elevated by the strong cargo demand.

Group expenditure grew by $1,331 million (+38.6%) half-on-half to $4,778 million. This increase consisted of a $569 million increase (+70.2%) in net fuel costs, a $682 million increase (+25.1%) in non-fuel expenditure, and $80 million from the half- on-half impact of the fair value changes on fuel derivatives. Net fuel cost rose to $1,379 million, mainly on higher fuel prices (+$354 million) and an increase in volume uplifted (+$323 million), which was partially offset by higher fuel hedging gain (-$115 million). The increase in non-fuel expenditure by 25.1% corresponded with the 46.2% increase in passenger capacity and 21.7% increase in cargo capacity.

Group net loss was $125 million for the second half, an improvement of $712 million (+85.1%) from the first half. This was mainly attributable to the better operating performance (+$630 million) as well as an improvement in share of results of joint venture and associated companies (+$100 million), and partially offset by higher non-cash impairment charges (-$29 million).

Financial Year FY2021/22 – Balance Sheet

The Group has raised $22.4 billion in fresh liquidity since 1 April 2020 through various measures including proceeds from Rights issuances, bond issuances, secured financing, and aircraft sale-and-leaseback transactions.

Note 1: Includes net cash provided by operating activities and repayment of lease liabilities, and excludes proceeds from forward sales.

As of 31 March 2022, the Group shareholders’ equity was $22.4 billion, an increase of $6.5 billion from 31 March 2021. Cash and bank balances saw an increase of $6.0 billion, rising to $13.8 billion primarily due to the proceeds from the Mandatory Convertible Bond issue in June 2021. Total debt balances increased by $1.4 billion to $15.7 billion, mainly due to the issuance of a seven-year US$600 million (or about S$810 million) bond in January 2022, as well as the increase in lease liabilities as a result of sale-and-leaseback activities. Consequently, the Group’s debt-equity ratio fell from 0.90 times to 0.70 times. In addition to the cash on hand, the Group retains access to $2.1 billion of committed lines of credit, all of which remain undrawn.

FLEET DEVELOPMENT

During the final quarter, SIA took delivery of one Airbus A350-900, which joined the operating fleet in January 2022. SIA also took delivery of three Boeing 737-8s, which will enter into service starting from June 2022. Scoot took delivery of three Airbus A321neo aircraft, which have since joined the operating fleet.

As of 31 March 2022, SIA’s operating fleet comprised 123 passenger aircraft and seven freighters, while Scoot had 53 passenger aircraft in its operating fleet.

With an average age of six years and three months, the Group operates one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the airline industry4. This results in increased operating efficiencies, as well as significantly lower carbon emissions compared to the older generation aircraft that they replace in the Group fleet.

NETWORK RECOVERY

The Group progressively reinstated services to several destinations, and stepped-up frequencies on existing routes, as travel restrictions eased. Services resumed across key markets including Australia (Cairns, Darwin, and Gold Coast), South East Asia (Danang, Denpasar, and Surabaya), Amritsar in India, and Cape Town (via Johannesburg) in South Africa. SIA resumed non-stop A350-900 ULR services between Singapore and Newark, and began operating its flagship Airbus A380 to India (Delhi and Mumbai), and the United States of America (New York via Frankfurt). Services to Moscow and Shenzhen were suspended during the fourth quarter. Scoot introduced a new destination, Miri, to its network.

At the end of the financial year, the Group’s passenger network covered a total of 93 destinations5 in 36 countries and territories, up from 85 at the end of the third quarter. This compared to a pre-Covid network of 137 destinations5 in 37 countries and territories. SIA served 69 destinations5 and Scoot 43 destinations5. The Group’s cargo network comprised 100 destinations,5 up from 98 at the end of the prior quarter.

Note 2: The 123-passenger aircraft fleet comprised 23 777-300ERs, 12 A380s, 58 A350s, 15 787-10s, 7 737-800s and 8 737-8s.

Note 3: The 53-passenger aircraft fleet comprised 10 787-8s, 10 787-9s, 21 A320ceos, 5 A320neos and 7 A321neos.

Note 4: The current industry average fleet age is around 15 years and 4 months according to Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA). Note 5: Number of destinations include Singapore.

Based on current published schedules, the Group expects passenger capacity to reach 61% of pre-Covid levels for the first quarter of FY2022/23. As travel demand continues to recover, passenger capacity is expected to climb to around 67% of pre-Covid levels by the second quarter. The Group expects to serve over 70% of its pre- Covid destinations by the end of the second quarter.

PAVING THE WAY AHEAD

The SIA Group is ready to ramp up operations and capture the returning demand for international air travel. Cabin crew recruitment has resumed after a two-year hiatus to replace staff who have left over the last two years. The Group will continue to make the necessary investment in our people to meet our growth plans. Aircraft utilisation can also be increased quickly to support network expansion.

Various marketing campaigns have been launched to encourage customers to take to the skies again. These include a global brand campaign, We Look Forward to Seeing You in the Air Again, which promises customers an enhanced travel experience with SIA. Time to Fly, SIA’s first online travel fair in Singapore, offered curated travel packages with 10 participating travel agents, serving all market segments. Scoot re- established partnerships with tourism boards across Australia and South East Asia, as well as the Singapore Tourism Board, to incentivise travel to and from Singapore.

KrisFlyer, the SIA Group’s loyalty program, relaunched its KrisFlyer Spontaneous Escapes monthly promotion after two years. This allows members to stretch the value of their miles and book last minute getaways to a variety of SIA destinations.

Deepening collaboration with like-minded airlines remains an integral part of the Group’s strategy. By strengthening separate partnerships with Garuda Indonesia and Malaysia Airlines, the airlines will offer more options for customers, as well as enhanced connectivity to drive tourism in South East Asia. The recent expansion of the codeshare agreement between United Airlines and SIA will enable customers to connect to even more destinations within both airlines’ network.

The footprint of SIA’s cargo business continues to grow with the signing of a crew and maintenance agreement with DHL Express for five Boeing 777 freighters. These freighters will sport a dual DHL-SIA livery, and be operated by SIA pilots on routes to the United States of America via points in North Asia from July 2022. SIA will also oversee the maintenance of these aircraft. Basing these freighters at Changi Airport will further reinforce Singapore’s position as a key air logistics hub. It will support the fast- growing e-commerce segment, and also provide a foundation to expand the partnership between SIA and DHL in the future.

SIA has also firmed up an order for seven Airbus A350F freighters to replace its fleet of Boeing 747-400Fs. Deliveries will begin in the fourth quarter of 2025, and SIA will be the first operator of this new-generation aircraft. The renewal of the freighter fleet reflects SIA’s continued investment in its key air cargo segment.

SIA, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, and Temasek have embarked on a year-long study into the operational viability of sustainable aviation fuels in Singapore. Jet fuel that has been blended with neat sustainable aviation fuel will be uplifted on SIA and Scoot flights from the third quarter of 2022 as part of this pilot. Sustainable fuels are a key decarbonisation lever for airlines, and a critical pathway for the success of the Group’s commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

FINAL DIVIDEND

In view of the significant losses incurred and the need to conserve cash, the Board is not proposing a final dividend for the financial year ended 31 March 2022.

OUTLOOK

Singapore further relaxed border restrictions in April 2022, removing the need for quarantine, as well as both pre-departure and on-arrival Covid-19 tests for fully vaccinated travellers. Key markets around the world have further eased travel restrictions, supporting a strong recovery in demand in air travel across all cabin classes. Forward sales, when measured as a percentage of the total number of seats available, in the next three months up to August 2022 are approaching pre-Covid-19 levels. The Group will closely monitor demand, remain nimble and alert to all opportunities that may arise, and adjust its capacity and services accordingly.

Cargo demand is expected to experience near-term volatility as a result of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as well as the knock-on effects of pandemic controls in China on the global supply chain. Cargo yields, however, are likely to remain healthy due to the continued industry capacity crunch on key trade lanes.

Inflationary pressures, in particular on fuel prices, remain a concern. In comparison to the average jet fuel price of US$90.31 per barrel (before hedging) for FY2021/22, spot prices have moved up by more than 50% and were close to US$150 per barrel, as of early May. The Group will maintain appropriate cost discipline, even as operations expand in line with demand.

The Group’s second three-year Transformation programme, that began in FY2020/21, continues to make good progress in revenue and cost initiatives as well as in the areas of innovation and digital transformation. The SIA Group will remain agile and leverage on opportunities to reinforce its leadership position in the airline industry.

Singapore Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

United and Singapore expand their codeshare agreement

Star Alliance members United Airlines and Singapore Airlines (SIA) today announced an expansion to their codeshare agreement, making it easier for customers to travel to more cities in the United States of America, South East Asia and other destinations in the Asia-Pacific region.

 

Passengers can now enjoy codeshare flights to 19 new diverse and fast-growing cities ideal for both business and leisure travelers alike, tapping Singapore Airlines’ and United Airlines’ industry-leading networks.

Beginning April 26, 2022, United’s customers will be able to connect to nine new codeshare destinations in the SIA Group network. Of these, seven points are in South East Asia. These are Brunei’s capital Bandar Seri Begawan, Siem Reap in Cambodia, Kuala Lumpur and Penang in Malaysia, and Denpasar (Bali), Jakarta and Surabaya in Indonesia. They may also connect to Perth in Australia, as well as Male in the Maldives with SIA.

SIA customers may connect on United’s flights out of Los Angeles to 10 new codeshare destinations in the US. These are Austin, Baltimore, Boise, Cleveland, Denver, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Reno and Sacramento. This complements the existing connections available on United’s network from Houston to Atlanta, Austin, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, New Orleans, Orlando and Tampa.

This announcement comes amid growing demand for international air travel as more countries around the world ease border restrictions. As travel resumes, customers can look forward to enjoying Singapore Airlines’ and United Airlines’ new codeshare flights, award-winning service, and the ability to redeem and earn points and miles while flying on both carriers.

Singapore Airlines to operate Boeing 777F freighters for DHL

DHL Express, the world’s leading international express services provider, has entered into a Crew and Maintenance agreement (CM) with Singapore Airlines (SIA) to deploy five Boeing 777 freighters. This agreement marks a further step in DHL Express’ expansion of its intercontinental air network to meet customer demand in fast-growing international express shipping markets.

Mr Travis Cobb, Executive Vice President Global Network Operations and Aviation, DHL Express, said: “With the deployment of five Boeing 777 freighters, we can expand our express service linking the Asia Pacific region with the Americas. Following the pandemic, we see good prospects for strong growth in trans-Pacific trade lanes. By collaborating with Singapore Airlines, we see a unique chance to establish a long-lasting relationship with a long time partner who shares common values and operates at the highest standard.”

Based at Singapore’s Changi Airport and serving DHL’s South Asia Hub there, the freighters, which will sport a dual DHL-SIA livery, will be operated by SIA pilots on routes to the United States of America via points in North Asia. SIA will also oversee the maintenance of these aircraft.

The initial agreement is set for more than four years with the opportunity for an extension. As part of the agreement, the first aircraft delivery will be in July 2022, with the second in October 2022. The remaining three aircraft are planned for delivery throughout 2023.

DHL Express continuously invests to meet steady growth in cross-border time-sensitive shipments. It operates over 320 dedicated aircraft across its global network of 220 countries and territories. The Boeing 777 freighters are the world’s largest, longest range, and most capable twin-engine freighters that also contribute to DHL’s sustainability goals, reducing CO2 emissions by 18% compared to the legacy Boeing 747-400s.

SIA’s cargo division operates to more than 90 destinations as part of its current network, which includes a fleet of freighters as well as the bellyhold space of the SIA and Scoot passenger aircraft. The airline recently ordered Airbus A350F freighters as part of its fleet renewal programme. SIA continues to invest in its cargo capabilities, capitalising on healthy demand fuelled by growth in e-commerce, fresh produce, and pharmaceuticals, among other segments.