Partnering with Singapore Airlines to charter 100+ flights
Global consumer brand The Hut Group (THG) is partnering with Singapore Airlines to charter 100+ flights and has confirmed plans to launch “THG Air” with the “purchase and operation” of two freighters based out of the UK’s Manchester Airport.
The partnership with Singapore Airlines will see THG “remove its reliance on scheduled passenger services,” said a spokesperson, adding: “This is in response to both recent unprecedented disruption across the airline industry and THG’s strong international sales growth.
THG has been running successful trials since the start of 2020, using dedicated cargo flights to service its global operations, especially across the Asia region.
The “significant success” of these trials has provided THG with the confidence to link upwith Singapore Airlines and to announce the launch of THG Air.
THG Air will form a key pillar of the THG Ingenuity Service Offering for clients seeking market access in the Asia region.
A company statement said that, by the end of October 2020, THG will have two of its own cargo planes ‘live’, branded with the THG Air livery, operating out of Manchester Airport, where THG has its headquarters.
The partnership with Singapore Airlines comes as THG continues to expand its global distribution centres. In recent months, THG has opened three new centres opened in the US, one in Singapore and one in India. A further six overseas distribution centres are planned before the end of the year.
Matthew Moulding, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of THG, said: “The recent disruption across the airline industry has brought huge challenges in the movement of goods across the globe.
“This led us to accelerate our trials for dedicated cargo planes to link together our own global manufacturing and distribution centres.
“These trials have proved a great success, resulting in today’s partnership with Singapore Airlines.
“The trials have also given us the confidence to supplement this partnership with the launch of two of own cargo planes, under the livery of THG Air.”
Moulding continued: “The partnership with Singapore Airlines places us in the strong position of having secured routes from UK to Asia for the foreseeable future, enabling us to keep our supply chain moving and delivering goods – including essential items such as vitamins, personal care and hygiene products.
“Navigating the current crisis by forming these partnerships is an integral part of our strategy for THG Air, which will cement our standing as a global leader in ecommerce and technology and brings us closer to millions of customers.”
Sherine Teo, Vice President of Digital and E-Commerce Logistics, Singapore Airlines, said: “We welcome this partnership with THG, which facilitates the movement of goods across Asia and supports global supply chains. This collaboration will leverage Singapore Airlines’ flight network to ensure timely and efficient supply and delivery of THG goods to its customers.”
