DHL Express and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have renewed their crew and maintenance agreement covering five Boeing 777 freighters based at Singapore Changi Airport, extending a partnership that supports DHL Express’ intercontinental air cargo network.
Under the renewed agreement, SIA pilots will continue to operate the five freighters, while the airline’s engineering teams will remain responsible for their maintenance. The aircraft are based at DHL Express’ South Asia Hub in Singapore and provide dedicated capacity linking Asia-Pacific markets with key destinations in the United States.
Dedicated Capacity for Asia–US Trade
The five Boeing 777 freighters were progressively introduced into service from 2022 as part of DHL Express’ expansion of its intercontinental network.
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Each aircraft can carry up to 102 tonnes of cargo, making the Boeing 777F one of the largest and longest-range twin-engine freighters in commercial operation. DHL previously confirmed that the five-aircraft fleet provides a combined payload capacity of 1,224 tonnes across 12 weekly flights.
The aircraft operate in dual DHL-SIA livery and support time-sensitive cross-border shipments, including express and e-commerce traffic moving between Asia-Pacific and the Americas.
Travis Cobb, Executive Vice President for Network Operations and Aviation at DHL Express, said the renewal demonstrates the company’s continued investment in network capacity.
He described the five Boeing 777 freighters as an integral part of DHL’s intercontinental operations, supporting reliable, time-definite shipment flows while strengthening connections between businesses and international markets.
SIA Continues Flight and Engineering Support
The renewed arrangement maintains Singapore Airlines’ operational role in the programme. SIA pilots will continue flying the aircraft, while its engineering teams oversee their maintenance.
Lee Lik Hsin, Chief Commercial Officer at Singapore Airlines, said the agreement reflects the strength and continuity of a partnership that has supported express air freight between Asia-Pacific and major international markets via Singapore since 2022.
The collaboration combines SIA’s flight and engineering capabilities with DHL Express’ global logistics network, with both companies highlighting the role of dependable air connectivity in supporting international trade and the expanding e-commerce sector.
Partnership Built Around Changi
The five freighters are based at Changi, where DHL operates its South Asia Hub. The hub forms part of the company’s multi-hub strategy for Asia-Pacific and supports shipments moving between the region and markets in Europe, the Americas, Asia and Oceania.
The Boeing 777 freighter programme was originally established through a crew and maintenance agreement signed by DHL Express and SIA in March 2022. The first aircraft entered service in August that year, with the remaining aircraft progressively introduced through 2023.
DHL subsequently completed deployment of all five aircraft at its Singapore hub in January 2024. The company said at the time that the fleet would provide 1,224 tonnes of total payload capacity across its scheduled operations between Asia and the Americas.
With the agreement now renewed, the five Boeing 777 freighters will continue to provide dedicated long-haul capacity from Singapore, while SIA retains responsibility for their operation and maintenance.
The extended partnership reinforces the role of Changi as a strategic base within DHL Express’ global aviation network and provides continued dedicated capacity for time-sensitive international trade flows between Asia-Pacific and North America.
