DHL extends Boeing 777 freighter partnership with Singapore Airlines, with 3 of 5 jets routed via Incheon

DHL Express will continue its Boeing 777 freighter cooperation with Singapore Airlines. Three of the five aircraft covered by the agreement are routed via Incheon on their way to the United States, forming the backbone of an express network connecting Korea, Asia-Pacific and North America.

DHL Express announced Wednesday it has renewed its crew and maintenance contract with Singapore Airlines for five Boeing 777 freighters based at Singapore's Changi Airport.

Under the agreement, Singapore Airlines pilots will continue to operate the freighters, and Singapore Airlines engineers will oversee maintenance.

Three of the five aircraft pass through Korea. The Singapore–Bangkok–Incheon–Cincinnati route operates five times a week, while the Singapore–Incheon–Cincinnati route runs once a week.

The freighters connect DHL's South Asia hub in Singapore with major logistics centers in the United States, carrying international express and e-commerce cargo from Asia to North America.

The Boeing 777 freighters were introduced in stages from 2022. Each aircraft can carry up to 102 metric tons, making them suited for bulk shipments and time-sensitive international express demand.

Through the contract renewal, DHL plans to maintain its long-haul cargo network centered on Changi Airport while reinforcing the stability of its air network linking Asia-Pacific and the United States.

Travis Cobb, DHL Express Senior Vice President of Global Network and Aviation Operations, said the renewal "reflects DHL's commitment to building and continuously investing in network capabilities that support the smooth flow of global trade." He added that the five Boeing 777 freighters are "indispensable core assets in DHL's intercontinental operations, supporting the fast and reliable transport of customers' urgent shipments."

Han Ji-heon, CEO of DHL Korea, said that with three of the five Boeing 777 freighters under the renewed partnership routed via Incheon, "domestic customers will continue to have reliable access to DHL's intercontinental air network connecting Asia-Pacific and the United States."

Han added that the company would "continue to support Korean export companies in responding quickly and flexibly to a wide range of express cargo needs, including heavy freight, leveraging the large-capacity Boeing 777 freighters."

Meanwhile, DHL Express recently signed a sustainable aviation fuel supply agreement with GS Caltex. GS Caltex is set to supply 2,000 metric tons of neat SAF for DHL aircraft refueling domestically over the next year.