Chinese online retail giant AliBaba Group has signed a comprehensive strategic collaboration agreement wherein several of its subsidiaries - Fliggy, Alibaba Cloud, Alipay, and Cainiao Network - will partner Singapore Airlines (SQ, Singapore Changi) across areas that include flight ticket sales, loyalty programmes, marketing initiatives, cloud services, payments and logistics.
In terms of logistics, Singapore Airlines will work closely with Cainiao Network, the logistics arm of Alibaba Group, to enhance international air cargo services, joining Cainiao Network’s broader efforts in building a global smart logistics network that delivers across China within 24 hours and globally within 72 hours.
To achieve its goal of global deliveries within a 72-hour timeframe, Cainaio has set about establishing six major hubs in six cities around the globe. Aside from this agreement with Singapore Airlines which presumably targets Singapore Changi, Cainiao Network has also inked similar partnership deals TK-o and Emirates developing Hong Kong International and Dubai International into key transit hubs.
In terms of global air cargo coverage, Singapore Airlines has extensive connectivity within Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, Oceania, Europe, Africa, and North America.
