Global online retailer The Hut Group has announced a new deal with Singapore Airlines that will include buying two planes and chartering a series of over 100 flights.
The agreement will see the formation of THG Air, which is hoped to remove the firm's reliance on scheduled passenger services.
The move comes in response to "unprecedented disruption" across the airline industry, as well as the Manchester -based consumer brand and technology group's "strong international sales growth".
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”.”
Since the start of 2020, THG said it has been running successful trials, using dedicated cargo flights to service its global operations, especially across the Asia region.
The success of the trials has provided THG with the confidence to embark on this new partnership with Singapore Airlines and for THG to go a step further and announce the launch.
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Additionally, THG Air will form a key pillar of the THG Ingenuity Service Offering for clients seeking market access in the Asia region.
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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 U.S.A., one in Singapore and one in India. A further six overseas distribution centres are planned before the end of the year.
Mr Moulding added: “The partnership with Singapore Airlines places us in the strong position of having secured routes from 海角视频 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.”