Singapore Airlines Cargo
The air-cargo division of Singapore Airlines, managing freighter operations and cargo carried in the airline's passenger aircraft.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Singapore Airlines Cargo, commonly known as SIA Cargo, is the air-freight business of Singapore Airlines. It manages the cargo capacity of Singapore Airlines' passenger fleet and its dedicated freighter operations, connecting Singapore with international markets through the airline's global network. Although it operated for nearly two decades as a separate cargo airline with its own freighter fleet, it was reintegrated into Singapore Airlines during 2018 and now functions as a division rather than as a separately incorporated operating subsidiary. Singapore Airlines' involvement in air freight predates the SIA Cargo brand by many decades. The airline began carrying cargo in 1947, initially using Airspeed Consul aircraft, and established a dedicated cargo division in July 1992. Singapore Airlines Cargo was incorporated on 1 July 2001, taking over the parent airline's freight activities. At formation, the new company assumed the lease of Singapore Airlines' dedicated freighters and responsibility for managing cargo carried in the holds of passenger aircraft. Its early development coincided with the expansion of international air-freight markets and the liberalisation of aviation agreements. The business built Singapore into a major cargo hub. Its Singapore warehouse infrastructure included SIA Superhub 1, opened in 1995, and SIA Superhub 2, opened in 2001. The latter substantially expanded annual handling capacity. SIA Cargo introduced long-haul and round-the-world freighter services during the early 2000s and developed routes linking Singapore with Asian, European, Middle Eastern and North American gateways. In May 2003, it became the first third-country cargo airline to operate a direct China-to-United States service, using a routing from Singapore through Chinese cities to Chicago. For much of its standalone period, SIA Cargo operated Boeing 747-400 freighters. It also used converted passenger aircraft and managed belly-hold freight on Singapore Airlines passenger services. The global recession caused a significant decline in air-freight demand in the late 2000s, leading the company to store some aircraft and reduce capacity. As market conditions changed, the dedicated freighter fleet was progressively reorganised. In 2017, Singapore Airlines announced that the separate cargo company would be dissolved and that its activities would be brought back into the parent airline. The reintegration was completed in the first half of 2018; the freighters were transferred to Singapore Airlines, while SIA Cargo continued as the brand and cargo-management division. The division provides general air freight as well as specialised handling and logistics services. Its activities include pharmaceuticals and other temperature-sensitive shipments, high-value and time-critical cargo, aircraft engines, sporting equipment, concert equipment and other project or charter consignments. In January 2017, it became the first airline in the Asia-Pacific region to receive IATA CEIV Pharma certification, supporting its positioning in pharmaceutical logistics. SIA Cargo has also participated in major commercial partnerships and industry arrangements. In 2001 it joined Lufthansa Cargo and SAS Cargo Group in the WOW Alliance. It has maintained cargo cooperation arrangements, including a codeshare relationship with Nippon Cargo Airlines, and has renewed specialist transport work with Rolls-Royce for Trent 1000 aircraft engines. In December 2021, Singapore Airlines announced an order for seven Airbus A350F freighters, with options for five additional aircraft. The A350F was intended to replace the Boeing 747-400F fleet, with Singapore Airlines positioned as the launch customer and initial deliveries expected from late 2025 according to the cited reference material. The brand's history also includes significant competition-law proceedings. Authorities in Australia, South Korea, the European Union and the United States investigated or sanctioned SIA Cargo…
History
Singapore Airlines' cargo activities began in 1947, when the airline carried freight using Airspeed Consul aircraft. As international passenger operations expanded, the company created a dedicated cargo division in July 1992. Singapore Airlines Cargo was incorporated on 1 July 2001 as a separate subsidiary. It assumed responsibility for the parent airline's freight business, including the leasing and operation of dedicated freighters and the management of cargo carried in passenger-aircraft holds. The new cargo airline expanded during a period of rising global trade and aviation liberalisation. Singapore's location and Changi Airport infrastructure supported the development of a regional and intercontinental cargo hub. SIA Superhub 1 had opened in 1995, and SIA Superhub 2 opened in 2001 with materially greater handling capacity. SIA Cargo launched new international services, including a round-the-world freighter route in October 2001. In May 2003, it began a service from Singapore through Chinese cities to Chicago, becoming the first third-country cargo carrier to fly directly between China and the United States. During its standalone years, the carrier's dedicated fleet was centred on Boeing 747-400 freighters. It also operated Boeing 747-400 aircraft converted from passenger use and managed belly cargo on Singapore Airlines passenger flights. The global financial crisis reduced freight demand in the late 2000s, prompting aircraft storage and capacity reductions. The company subsequently retired converted freighter aircraft and adjusted its dedicated fleet to market conditions. SIA Cargo entered the WOW Alliance with Lufthansa Cargo and SAS Cargo Group in October 2001. It also developed other commercial relationships, including a codeshare arrangement with Nippon Cargo Airlines. Its service portfolio extended beyond ordinary freight to pharmaceuticals, aerospace components, aircraft engines, sporting equipment and entertainment logistics. A notable specialist relationship involved transporting Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines from Singapore to Boeing 787 production facilities in the United States. The company also provided charter services for international sporting events and concert tours. The brand faced a series of competition-law proceedings beginning in the late 2000s. Regulators and courts in multiple jurisdictions examined allegations that air carriers coordinated fuel and security surcharges. SIA Cargo was fined in South Korea and by the European Commission, pleaded guilty to a United States Department of Justice charge and later participated in a United States class-action settlement. These proceedings generated substantial financial penalties and legal exposure, although the later civil settlement did not involve an admission of wrongdoing or liability. In January 2017, SIA Cargo received IATA CEIV Pharma certification, becoming the first airline in the Asia-Pacific region to receive the accreditation. In May of the same year, Singapore Airlines announced a structural change: SIA Cargo would no longer remain a separately incorporated operating company. Its activities and assets were brought back into Singapore Airlines, and the transition was completed during the first half of 2018. The dedicated freighters were transferred to Singapore Airlines, while the SIA Cargo identity continued as the group's cargo division. In December 2021, Singapore Airlines announced an order for seven Airbus A350F freighters and options for five additional aircraft. The aircraft were planned to replace the Boeing 747-400F fleet, representing a new generation of more fuel-efficient dedicated freighters. The order was described as making Singapore Airlines the A350F launch customer. SIA Cargo therefore entered its current phase as an integrated cargo business: it manages dedicated freighter capacity and cargo in passenger aircraft, while using Singapore Airlines' passenger network and Changi Airport hub to serve worldwide freight markets.
- 2021
Airbus A350F freighter order announced
[1]Singapore Airlines announced an order for seven A350F freighters, plus options for five more, to replace its Boeing 747-400F fleet.
- 2018
Cargo operations reintegrated into Singapore Airlines
[1]The separate-company structure was ended and SIA Cargo became a division within Singapore Airlines.
- 2017
IATA CEIV Pharma certification received
[1]SIA Cargo became the first airline in the Asia-Pacific region to receive IATA CEIV Pharma accreditation.
- 2003
Direct China-to-United States cargo service begins
[1]SIA Cargo began a Singapore-China-United States routing and was identified as the first third-country cargo carrier to operate directly between China and the United States.
- 2001
Singapore Airlines Cargo incorporated
[1]SIA Cargo was incorporated on 1 July and took over Singapore Airlines' air-freight operations as a separate subsidiary.
- 2001
WOW Alliance formed
[1]SIA Cargo joined Lufthansa Cargo and SAS Cargo Group to establish the WOW Alliance.
- 2001
SIA Superhub 2 opens
[1]A second cargo warehouse increased Singapore-based handling capacity substantially.
- 1995
SIA Superhub 1 opens
[1]The first Singapore Airlines cargo warehouse at Singapore Changi Airport opened.
- 1992
Dedicated cargo division created
[1]Singapore Airlines established a cargo division to complement its passenger business.
- 1947
Singapore Airlines begins carrying air freight
[1]The airline that later became Singapore Airlines began cargo operations using Airspeed Consul aircraft.
Products and positioning
An international, Singapore-based air-cargo operator focused on network connectivity, specialised handling and the integration of passenger-aircraft belly capacity with dedicated freighter services.
Air-freight service
General air freight
Standard cargo transportation for commercial goods moving through Singapore Airlines' international network. The service combines dedicated freighter capacity with cargo space in the holds of passenger aircraft, allowing the division to connect Singapore and other network points with global markets.
Specialised cargo · 2017
Pharmaceutical and healthcare logistics
Temperature-sensitive and pharmaceutical cargo handling supported by specialised processes and IATA CEIV Pharma certification received in 2017. The offering is intended for shipments requiring controlled handling, documented procedures and careful transfer through the air-cargo chain.
Project cargo · 2017
Aerospace and aircraft-engine transport
Specialised transportation for aircraft components and engines. SIA Cargo has provided transport services for Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines moving from Singapore to Boeing 787 production facilities in the United States, illustrating its ability to handle oversized, high-value industrial shipments.
Charter cargo
Charter and event logistics
Bespoke cargo charters for sports equipment, racing teams, concert equipment and other time-critical event consignments. These services address cargo movements that may require dedicated aircraft planning, special schedules or handling beyond routine network freight.
Freighter network · 2001
Dedicated freighter services
Freighter operations historically centred on Boeing 747-400 aircraft and subsequently managed within Singapore Airlines after the 2018 reintegration. The planned Airbus A350F fleet is intended to renew this capability with a newer-generation dedicated freighter.
Controversies
2013
United States class-action settlement
SIA Cargo agreed to pay USD 62.8 million to settle private United States litigation connected with air-cargo price-fixing investigations. The settlement did not include an admission of wrongdoing or liability.
2010
South Korean fuel-surcharge case
South Korea's Fair Trade Commission fined Singapore Airlines over alleged coordination of cargo fuel surcharges. The company said it would review the authority's reasoning and consider its response.
2010
European Commission air-cargo cartel fine
The European Commission fined SIA Cargo EUR 74.8 million over participation in a global cartel involving fuel and security surcharges. SIA Cargo indicated that it was likely to appeal.
2010
United States Department of Justice cargo-rate case
SIA Cargo pleaded guilty to a United States charge concerning conspiracy to fix cargo rates and accepted a USD 48 million fine.
2008
Australian air-cargo surcharge allegations
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission alleged that SIA Cargo participated in coordination of fuel and security surcharges applied to air freight to and from Australia. The allegations were part of a broader international investigation of airline cargo pricing.
Brand decisions
2021
Order Airbus A350F freightersProduct launchBackground
Singapore Airlines planned to renew the dedicated freighter fleet that had been based on Boeing 747-400F aircraft.
Action taken
Singapore Airlines announced the purchase of seven Airbus A350F freighters and options for five additional aircraft, with the order linked to changes in existing Airbus aircraft commitments.
Aftermath
The A350F was intended to replace the Boeing 747-400F fleet, and Singapore Airlines was identified as the launch customer. The cited material expected first delivery in late 2025.
2017
Reintegrate SIA Cargo into Singapore AirlinesStrategyBackground
Singapore Airlines determined that cargo operations no longer needed to be organised as a separate incorporated airline.
Action taken
The parent announced the dissolution of SIA Cargo as a separate company and transferred its activities into a cargo division within Singapore Airlines.
Aftermath
The transition was completed in the first half of 2018. SIA Cargo continued as the cargo brand while dedicated freighters and cargo management were placed within Singapore Airlines.
Recent events
- 2021
Singapore Airlines orders Airbus A350F freighters[1]
Product launch · Product generation
Singapore Airlines announced the purchase of seven Airbus A350F freighters, with options for five more, to replace its Boeing 747-400F aircraft. The arrangement also involved changes to existing Airbus orders.
- 2017
Singapore Airlines Cargo receives IATA CEIV Pharma certification[1]
Other
SIA Cargo became the first airline in the Asia-Pacific region to receive IATA CEIV Pharma certification, recognising its pharmaceutical-cargo handling processes.
- 2017
Singapore Airlines announces reintegration of SIA Cargo[1]
M&A
Singapore Airlines announced that SIA Cargo would cease operating as a separate company and that its freight activities would be reintegrated into the parent airline. The transition was completed in the first half of 2018.
Sources1 sources
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