Singapore Airlines Climbs Onto the Air Cargo Ladder with Airbus
In a move that’s sure to stir the skies, Singapore Airlines (SIA) has inked a provisional deal to snag seven A350 freighters – making it the first big carrier to take the brand into the belly‑filled business. The plan comes as Airbus pushes hard to wrest a slice of the lucrative cargo market that’s been largely locked by Boeing.
What the Deal Looks Like
- Deliveries to start in the fourth quarter of 2025.
- The order price? Not disclosed – but insiders say it’s roughly in line with the US$2.3 billion list value of the planes SIA was already set to fly.
- It’s a letter of intent – meaning the final deal is still up in the air, but the framework is there.
Sweet Swap Perks
That’s not all. The agreement lets SIA swap part of its cargo orders for 15 A320neo jets and two A350‑900 passenger planes that were already on Airbus’s delivery calendar. Those 17 airframes were priced at US$2.3 billion back in 2018 – pretty close to what the freighters are worth.
Why Airbus Is Celebrating
Typically, Airbus is a stickler about keeping orders on paper and delaying deliveries if a carrier wavers. But a heavyweight backing could tip the scales, giving Airbus another winning hand in its hunt to lift its wide‑body production and fill the cargo gap. Also, the A320neo is in high demand, so that part of the deal helps sweeten the pot for both companies.
Bottom line? Singapore Airlines is weaving fuel‑efficiency, new cargo capacity, and an expanding fleet into one broad tapestry. And Airbus, with its shiny new freighters, is geared up to meet that demand head‑on. Looks like the skies are getting a little bit busier, and we can’t wait to see where they take us next!
Qatar dispute
Qatar Airways & Airbus – A Flight Saga With a Twist
After a rocky spat between Qatar Airways and Airbus over damage to their jets, the latest deal for an A350 airframe marks the first tilting of the scales since that squabble began. It’s a victory for Airbus, and a story that’s getting a lot of attention in aviation circles.
The A350 Turning Point
Once a smooth partnership, the partnership fell apart when the launch customer – Qatar Airways — accused Airbus of eroding the surfaces of its existing jets. Since then, Airbus has been scrambling to find new buyers for the A350, and this latest order tells the world that the company is still moving forward.
Singapore Loves the – Interesting – “Freighter
Back in November, Reuters reported that Airbus was eyeing a freighter deal with Singapore Airlines. The move came as Qatar Airways seemed more inclined to back Boeing’s 777X freighters, but the Singapore deal shows Airbus is still in the game.
Al Baker’s Hot Take
- Al Baker’s Outlook: “I was looking very positively at (Airbus) freighters. But they have destroyed that relationship.”
- Future Orders: “I don’t think they will ever get a single size of order that we would have placed for the freighter.”
- Qatar’s 777X Commitment: Industry whispers say the airline will order 34‑35 777X freighters to replace its current fleet.
Bottom Line
Airbus’s latest A350 order signals hope after a slump, while Qatar Airways is bolstering its fleet with 777X freighters from Boeing. Some say it’s a recipe for future rivalry; others see it as a win–win for both sides. All in all, the skies are still full of surprises.
Fleet overlap
Singapore Airlines is Zipping into Future Freight
Big news from the Lion City: Singapore Airlines (SIA) has just signed up for seven brand‑new Airbus A350 freighters, with a sweet option on five more. These shiny new cargo beasts are set to kick the old 747s out of the runway, trimming emissions and bringing the airline’s freight arm into the 21st‑century.
Why the A350F Makes Sense
It’s the third client for the A350 freighter – Air Lease Corp and CMA CGM were the first—so the aircraft has a good track record. Singapore analyst Brendan Sobie explains that picking the A350F “creates attractive synergies” for SIA, which already shares a huge passenger A350 fleet. Less maintenance training and more part inventory—what a win‑win.
Turning A320neos Into Jumbo‑size Trucks
Back in 2022, SIA decided to convert 15 A320neo planes into cargo, a move that Sobie called “reasonable.” The airline found itself with a surplus of these jets, especially after the pandemic shuffled the skies. Though other airlines have snapped up such conversions, SIA is putting them to good use.
Flying at Full Throttle – Even Without a Local Market
Even though Singapore has no domestic aviation realm, SIA’s cargo arm still rumbled into the economy, earning two‑thirds of its revenues in the last half of 2023. The pandemic’s closure of borders hurt the passenger side hard, but cargo has kept the gears running.
Looking ahead, SIA expects to reach 45 percent of pre‑pandemic passenger capacity by December—up from an earlier 43‑percent estimate—as the tiny island gradually lifts travel restrictions. Back in November, the airline was filling about a third of seats.
Heads Up: Quarantine‑Free Travel Links Coming Soon
Keep an eye on SIA’s upcoming VTL (Vacation Travel by Letter) flights – the airline is planning to roll these out right after the quarantines evaporate.
Overall, Singapore Airlines is making a bold leap forward in freight, using cutting‑edge A350Fs and smart repurposing of A320neo cargo, all while keeping an eye on emissions and revenue stability. It’s not just a business move—it’s a smoother, greener takeoff for the future.
