Tasman Cargo Airlines, a new freighter operator at Changi Airport, has launched scheduled freighter services between Singapore and Australia.

In a statement, Changi Airport in Singapore said the airline operates five weekly services on a Melbourne-Darwin-Singapore (bi-directional) route using a B767-300F aircraft.

Tasman Cargo Airlines is the first Australia-based freighter operator with operations at Changi Airport.

The new service — chartered by express integrator DHL Express  —  is seen facilitating increasing cross-border e-commerce cargo flows across DHL’s global and Southwest Pacific network through its South Asia hub in Singapore.

"Online shopping in Australia hit an all-time high in 2020 with purchases growing 57% year-on-year," the statement said, noting that cross-border e-commerce is significant for the Australia market, representing about 60% of Australian online consumers’ purchases.

"We are pleased that DHL Express has continued to enhance its hub at Changi to facilitate quick and reliable cargo shipments. This new service will further strengthen Singapore’s position as the leading international freight gateway for Australia and is especially important to serving essential supplies and growing e-commerce demand during the pandemic," said Lim Ching Kiat, Changi Airport Group (CAG)’s managing director of Air Hub Development said.

Meanwhile, Tasman Cargo Airlines helps push DHL's recent intercontinental network expansion with AeroLogic, AirBridgeCargo Airlines and Kalitta Air.

Growing e-commerce demand cited

It noted that DHL's South Asia hub is "strategically located" in Singapore, and the facility at Changi Airfreight Centre serves as an important logistics hub and conduit for DHL’s Southwest Pacific customers looking to expand their reach to the rest of Asia Pacific, the United States and Europe.

There are now over 100 weekly flights mounted by DHL’s airline partners through Changi Airport.

"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," commented Sean Wall, executive vice president, Network Operations & Aviation, DHL Express Asia Pacific.

"Our robust network complemented by strong partner airlines will play a vital role in supporting businesses as they expand their international footprint and presence."

Last year, Australia was Changi Airport's fourth largest air cargo market, with airfreight throughput reaching over 134,000 tonnes for the year.

Changi Airport said the much-needed airfreight capacity between both Singapore and Australia provided by airlines during this period has catered to consumer demand for essentials such as e-commerce products, perishables and medical supplies. 

For the first four months of 2021, Changi Airport handled 582,000 tonnes of airfreight throughput. More than 940 weekly cargo flights currently connect Singapore to over 80 cities.