Singapore Airlines Cargo has solidified its position as a leader in cargo operations across the Asia Pacific region, boasting an extensive network, cutting-edge infrastructure, and a commitment to digital innovation that sets it apart in an increasingly competitive market. 

With a cargo network that spans the globe, Singapore Airlines Cargo (SIA) covers 46 destinations in the Asia Pacific region alone, including key hubs like Auckland, Melbourne, Sydney, Bangkok, Jakarta, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Manila. Beyond the region, the network reaches over 120 destinations worldwide. 

Investment in infrastructure 

“Aside from our extensive network, we also invest heavily in training and capabilities that allow us to handle different types of cargo with the required care and security,” Marvin Tan, Senior Vice President of Cargo at Singapore Airlines, stated. 

Located at its Singapore Hub, the airline utilises SATS Coolport, a purpose-built airfreight terminal equipped with electronic temperature monitoring technology and cold rooms with various temperature settings to handle commodities with different temperature requirements.  

Temperature-sensitive goods transiting in Singapore are swiftly transported to SATS Coolport to ensure that shipments are handled at the required temperature range. On-tarmac coolers are also available to protect the temperature-sensitive cargo when it is transported between flights.  

“We move high-value, time-sensitive and temperature-controlled pharmaceutical cargo across the world with Singapore Airlines Cargo’s state-of-the-art cold chain service. Singapore Airlines Cargo is also the first airline in Asia Pacific to obtain the IATA CEIV Pharma certification, attaining this certification in 2017 and being subsequently re-certified in 2020 and 2023,” Tan highlighted. 

“As a member of Pharma.Aero and Pharma@Changi, we understand the importance of cross-industry collaboration in the continued enhancement of our pharma handling standards.” 

Comprehensive cold chain solutions 

Singapore Airlines Cargo has established quality corridors within its network to further ensure product integrity in the cold chain handling process on the ground and in the air.  

Complying with standards adopted from the IATA CEIV Pharma programme and close collaboration with industry partners address the need for safety, care and efficiency in the transportation of pharmaceutical and healthcare products across key trade lanes.  

SATS Coolport is located within the Free Trade Zone and is designed to meet the highest international standards of cold chain integrity, such as the IATA Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators on Pharmaceutical Handling (CEIV Pharma) and Good Distribution Practice (GDP).  

“SIA is the first airline in South East Asia to attain the IATA Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators in Perishable Logistics (CEIV Fresh) certification, accomplishing this in 2021” Tan said. “This recognises the airline’s ability to meet the industry’s highest standards regarding food safety and prevent food waste along the supply chain. Singapore Airlines Cargo now offers the option of placing cargo tracking devices with your shipment, which enables customers to get real-time updates.” 

“This guarantees a continuous and safe cold chain service for our customers,” Tan continued.  

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Animals, aerospace and e-commerce 

With main deck and lower deck capacity, SIA Cargo transports live animals of different species and sizes, including racehorses, livestock, household pets and live tropical fish, safely and quickly. “Complying with the IATA Live Animal Regulations (LAR), the airline’s experienced staff ensure that the welfare and safety of the animals are well taken care of,” Tan added. 

SIA Cargo also provides regulated cabin pressure and temperature in the aircraft, ensuring a comfortable environment during the animal’s flight journey. 

SIA Cargo carries a wide range of aerospace parts ranging from massive aircraft engines to odd-sized landing gears and small aircraft parts. “With our skilled and experienced ground staff, your aerospace parts are in good hands,” Tan said . “As part of our value-added services, Heavy Cargo and Weight and Balance certified staff will also be deployed to monitor engine shipments for flights departing from Singapore.” 

There is never a need to worry about damage to the valuable engines. Additionally, all engines transiting through the Singapore hub will be stored in secured warehouses with 24/7 surveillance. 

To tap on the fast-growing e-commerce segment, SIA has launched Parxl, its blockchain-based e-commerce logistics platform. Parxl meets the international shipping needs of e-tailers by offering a seamless and fast cross-border delivery experience right to the consumer’s doorstep.  

It also provides merchants with end-to-end visibility of shipped packages, as well as access to SIA’s global airfreight network and portfolio of regional delivery specialists, while functioning as a singular touchpoint for all partners along the supply chain.  

“Through Parxl, SIA effectively expanded its cargo services beyond airport-to-airport transportation, providing a door-to-door solution to shippers and brands and their e-commerce volumes,” Tan explained.  

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Digital developments 

Digital innovation has been a driving force in enhancing Singapore Airlines Cargo’s operations. “As an airline with global connectivity, digital innovation allows us to connect to even more points beyond our network. It further allows the airline to better commit to its sustainability goals, through the management of environmental impact, safety and stakeholder engagement or supporting our communities,” Tan said. 

The digital operations control tower was launched in 2019, providing SIA’s cargo operations teams with a comprehensive view of flight and shipment statuses in real-time, as well as critical alerts to reduce delays and disruptions. 

In 2020, SIA appointed IBS Software to bring its global cargo operations onto a single integrated digital cargo platform (iCargo), to improve operational insight across its entire network. This covers the areas of sales, import and export operations, airmail handling, and revenue accounting. The move will strengthen the airline’s ability to better manage cargo capacity, gain enhanced visibility of yields and revenues, optimise network performance and seamlessly collaborate with partners’ systems.

In 2021, SIA marked its cargo digitalisation journey with two significant partnerships.  

The first partnership is with cargo.one, a platform for the booking and marketing of airfreight capacity, to drive customer-centric digital cargo sales globally. The second partnership is with logistics software solution provider WiseTech Global, to integrate our eBooking systems and enable customers to book airfreight directly with SIA via the WiseTech Global’s CargoWise online platform. 

As technology continues to evolve, Singapore Airlines Cargo remains poised to adapt. “In line with SIA’s digital transformation efforts, the airline leverages digital tools to better monitor and manage cargo operations amid a fast-changing environment,” Tan said. “We will continue to make the necessary investments, in both our people and our business.”