Singapore Airlines (SIA) is set to launch a new freighter operation between Singapore and the United States via South Korea as part of a partnership with DHL Express.

To be operated in a new Boeing 777 freighter which arrived at Singapore Changi Airport on August 16 is the first of the five freighters to be based in Singapore, the location of DHL's South Asia Hub.

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

SIA will operate it on routes to the US via South Korea thrice weekly from August 2022.

Supporting e-commerce growth

"SIA's longstanding partnership with DHL reinforces Singapore's position as a key air cargo and e-commerce logistics hub and highlights our firm commitment to our cargo business," said Lee Lik Hsin, executive vice president of commercial, SIA.

"Air cargo also plays a vital role in keeping global supply chains open. Apart from supporting the fast-growing e-commerce segment, this new freighter operation provides a foundation to expand the partnership between SIA and DHL in the future," Lik Hsin added.

DHL partnered with SIA in March for a crew and maintenance deal to deploy five Boeing 777 freighters. 

These freighters will be operated by SIA pilots, with the maintenance overseen by SIA.

 
"Our global DHL Express aviation network consists of a combination of owned and partner airlines, which allows us to respond to increasing customer demand with agility and flexibility. The new Boeing 777 freighter demonstrates our ongoing effort to strengthen our network and adjust flight routes, as well as lower our carbon emissions to achieve greener logistics," commented Robert Hyslop, executive vice president for Aviation, DHL Express.

"Singapore Airlines' expertise in flight operations will enable us to better meet our customers’ needs in cross-border commerce, as we leverage the strategic location of our South Asia Hub in Singapore," he added.

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.