Singapore Airlines and DHL have just received a new jointly owned 777 with a split livery.
DHL and Singapore Airlines(SIA) have received the first of five Boeing 777 freighters sporting a dual livery. The freighter arrived at Singapore Changi Airport earlier this month and will be pressed into service by the end of August 2022. The aircraft will be operated and maintained by SIA. The new aircraft is a part of an agreement between the two airlines to better meet the demand for air cargo between Singapore and the US.
It is typical for airlines to form partnerships and reach agreements of mutual benefit with other airlines. However, DHL and SIA have created a unique partnership. They have just received a Boeing 777 freighter with a livery split between the two companies. The aircraft is the first of five 777s ordered by the airlines in March 2022. The airlines have agreed to obtain these aircraft together with the knowledge that the joint operation will be mutually beneficial. The aircraft will be operated and maintained by SIA.
The first freighter is expected to begin service by the end of August 2022. It will operate between Singapore and the US, with a stop in South Korea. In November 2022, the airlines anticipate the delivery of the second 777. Upon its arrival, both freighters will begin operating the same route six times per week. The route will take the freighters from Singapore to Incheon. From Incheon, they will travel to Los Angeles, followed by a trip to Honolulu. From there, they will return home to Singapore.
The remaining three freighters will be delivered throughout 2023. Once all the freighters are in service, all five will operate between the US and Singapore, with stopover points in Australia and North Asia. The Executive Vice President for Aviation at DHL Express, Robert Hyslop, stated that the relationship would help both parties meet the growing demand. Hyslop said,
“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. 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.”
The partnership is also geared to enhance efficiency in transoceanic transportation. The 777 will allow the airlines to transport cargo across the Pacific with reduced fuel consumption and a higher payload. These factors will create larger profit margins as operating costs fall and revenue increases. The added fuel efficiency will also help lower aircraft carbon emissions.
The Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing of the Asia-Pacific region at Boeing, Christy Reese, stated that the 777 is the most cost-effective option for this task. Reese stated,
“We are thrilled that the partnership between DHL and Singapore Airlines will be predicated on the strength of Boeing 777 Freighters. The versatile 777 Freighter is the world’s largest, most capable twin-engine freighter and can fly long-range trans-Pacific missions in excess of 6,000 nautical miles with 20 percent more payload than other large freighters like the 747-400F. The airplane, which is capable of carrying a maximum payload of 102 tonnes, will deliver superior tonne-per-mile economics for DHL and Singapore Airlines as they look to sustainably address increased demand in the global air freight market.”
The added payload capacity and extended range will help DHL and SIA to create a highly sustainable business model for these trans-pacific flights. With the enthusiasm and support of all parties involved, the future of this partnership shines bright.
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