Scoot (TR, Singapore Changi) will deploy its passenger-configured B787-9s on cargo charters between Singapore Changi and destinations in China on behalf of its parent Singapore Airlines (SQ, Singapore Changi), the airline confirmed to Air Cargo News.
Singapore Airlines Group will become the second operator after Cathay Pacific (CX, Hong Kong International) to use its passenger aircraft's bellyhold capacity to run cargo-only flights to China. The shortage of said capacity as a result of the termination of most passenger services has significantly affected the overall volume of available cargo space available on flights to and from China.
Scoot said it would operate cargo charters to Guangzhou and Nanjing during March 2020, despite all of its passenger services to China having been suspended through April 25, 2020.
The airline underlined that special precautions would be taken with no crew members staying in China. Ground handling agents will be wearing protective suits, and the aircraft will be thoroughly disinfected after returning to Singapore.
While most of its passenger services to China remain suspended, Singapore Airlines itself operates scheduled cargo flights to Shanghai Pudong. It also continues to operate daily passenger flights to Beijing Capital and Shanghai, as well as 3x weekly flights to Guangzhou, the ch-aviation schedules module shows.
Scoot, its low-cost carrier, does not operate any freighters.
Cathay Pacific recently started using A330-300s operated by Cathay Dragon to run cargo services between Hong Kong International and mainland China. It is also considering employing similar measures to Japan.
