Handling group SATS has signed a memorandum of understanding with China-based Sinotrans Air Freight for strategic projects in ground and cargo handling services across their respective networks. These will include setting up gateway hubs for Sinoair in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and Belgium. The two companies are also in talks for SATS to manage Sinoair’s new e-commerce hub in the Chinese city of Hangzhou, expected to open in 2026.
Headquartered in Singapore, SATS is one of the world’s largest providers of air cargo handling services. Together with its WFS arm, it operates an Americas-Europe-APAC network of over 215 cargo and ground handling stations in 27 countries, covering trade routes responsible for more than 50% of global air cargo volume.
Sinoair currently has regular charters operating between China and Liege Airport in Belgium, Dubai International Airport in the UAE and is looking to expand further to the rest of the world.
Chief executive-designate for SATS Gateway Asia-Pacific, Bob Chi said: “We look forward to working with Sinoair to leverage our respective networks to give customers even better global network connectivity to and from China, which has one of the world’s fastest growing air transportation sectors, to cities worldwide.”
Managing director of Sinotrans Air Freight Liu Yong, added: “Sinoair and SATS work together to provide customers with superior operational services. We look forward to working with SATS to further strengthen global air transport capabilities through our extensive network resources.”