Powering Vietnam’s global connectivity: SATS advancing aviation logistics and trade integration

General Secretary and President To Lam and Mr Bob Chi, CEO of APAC Gateway Services at SATS Ltd.

With years of experience serving Singapore’s Changi Airport, one of the world’s busiest and best air hubs, SATS has leveraged its deep expertise in aviation solutions to expand around the world. Closer to Singapore, SATS views Vietnam as a promising, strategically located country with a talented workforce for serving the global air cargo supply chain.

SATS Gateway Services provides airfreight and ground handling services, including passenger services, ramp and baggage handling, aviation security services, aircraft cleaning, and aviation laundry. Complementing this, SATS Food Solutions serves airlines and institutions, operating central kitchens with large-scale food production and distribution capabilities across a wide range of cuisines.

SATS is present across Asia-Pacific, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, powering an interconnected world of trade, travel, and taste. Following the acquisition of Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) in 2023, the combined SATS and WFS network operates over 225 stations in 27 countries, covering trade routes responsible for more than 50% of global air cargo volume. SATS has been listed on the Singapore Exchange since May 2000, reflecting its strong heritage, governance, and growth trajectory as a global aviation services leader. This global reach enables SATS to operate at scale, delivering integrated solutions that connect markets, businesses, and communities across continents.

As the largest air cargo terminal operator globally, SATS is present in 15 of the top 30 air cargo hubs worldwide. This extensive footprint enables the Group to play a pivotal role in facilitating global trade flows, supporting major international cargo lanes, and ensuring seamless connectivity between key markets. Through its integrated network, SATS delivers speed, reliability, and visibility across the air cargo value chain—critical elements in an increasingly complex, fast-evolving global trade environment where resilience and efficiency are essential to sustaining economic growth.

Vietnam Airlines and SATS sign strategic partnership agreement to elevate service quality across the global network.

Vietnam: Regional powerhouse

SATS’ long-standing presence in Vietnam underscores its commitment to the ASEAN region and its confidence in Vietnam’s growing and emerging role as a regional economic powerhouse. With investments and operations spanning more than three decades, including its partnership with Vietnam Airlines in Tan Son Nhat Cargo Services (TCS), SATS has contributed meaningfully to the development of Vietnam’s aviation and logistics ecosystem, with a focus on the Southern Economic Corridor, pivoted around Ho Chi Minh City. This enduring collaboration with Vietnam Airlines in TCS stands as a strong testament to SATS’ role as a reliable, trusted, and long-term partner, supporting operational excellence while building capabilities that align with Vietnam’s growth ambitions. Over the years, SATS has worked closely with its partners to enhance cargo handling efficiency, operational reliability, and service quality, supporting Vietnam’s increasing integration into global supply chains.

Leveraging its global network, SATS is well-positioned to expand connectivity from Vietnam’s air cargo hubs to international markets. By linking Vietnam more seamlessly into global trade flows, SATS can help unlock greater access to key export destinations and supply chain networks, particularly for high-value and time-sensitive goods. Through the application of leading-edge technologies, modern operating processes, and data-driven innovations, SATS enhances operational efficiency, visibility, and service reliability across cargo operations, ensuring that goods can move quickly, securely, and predictably across borders.

In addition, SATS brings proven expertise in the planning, design, and development of state-of-the-art air cargo infrastructure and facilities. By integrating advanced technologies with efficient terminal layouts and scalable design principles, SATS supports high-throughput, resilient, and future-ready logistics operations. These capabilities are critical in strengthening Vietnam’s air cargo logistics ecosystem, enabling the efficient movement of goods in and out of the country, and reinforcing Vietnam’s position as a leading international manufacturing and export hub. As Vietnam continues to expand its industrial base and attract foreign direct investment, the need for robust, efficient, and future-ready logistics infrastructure will only grow.

MOU signing ceremony between SATS and Vietnam Airlines, attended by delegates from both organisations.

State visit to Singapore

This commitment to Vietnam has been further reinforced through high-level engagements and strategic partnerships. On May 30, 2026, General Secretary and President To Lam met with executives from SATS Ltd during his state visit to Singapore. Discussions included SATS’ strategic partnership with Vietnam Airlines to develop aviation logistics capabilities at the new Long Thanh International Airport, one of Vietnam’s most significant infrastructure projects that is expected to transform the country’s aviation landscape. Engagements during the visit also focused on strengthening collaboration with Singapore-based corporates, particularly in advancing air cargo terminal development and management capabilities to support Vietnam’s broader aviation infrastructure ambitions.

The agreement signed on December 17, 2025, marked an important milestone in strengthening cooperation between SATS and Vietnam Airlines, reinforcing a shared commitment to long-term partnership and growth. Building on this foundation, both parties also signed an MoU to collaborate on the development of air cargo terminal capabilities and to explore strategic initiatives at Long Thanh International Airport. These collaborations reflect a shared vision to elevate Vietnam’s position as a key aviation and logistics hub within the region and globally, while ensuring that the necessary infrastructure and operational capabilities are in place to support future demand.

Beyond infrastructure development, SATS’ strength lies in its ability to build and sustain strong partnerships across the global aviation and logistics value chain. With a vast network of more than 300 customer airlines, third-party logistics providers (3PLs), international integrators, postal authorities, e-commerce platforms, and international freight forwarders, SATS operates at the centre of a highly interconnected ecosystem. Through these partnerships, SATS can co-create innovative logistics solutions, enhance service offerings, and develop integrated capabilities that address evolving market demands, from traditional cargo handling to increasingly complex end-to-end supply chain solutions.

This collaborative ecosystem is particularly relevant in supporting Vietnam’s fast-growing economy, where the expansion of trade, e-commerce, and manufacturing continues to drive demand for efficient and reliable logistics solutions. As global supply chains become more dynamic and diversified, SATS is well-positioned to leverage its network and expertise to support new trade flows, facilitate supply chain integration, and unlock opportunities in emerging sectors such as cross-border e-commerce, pharmaceutical logistics, perishable handling, and high-value cargo.

At the same time, SATS continues to invest in innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation to enhance its operational capabilities. The adoption of advanced technologies, automation, and data analytics across its operations enables SATS to drive greater efficiency, improve safety standards, and reduce environmental impact. These initiatives not only strengthen SATS’ competitiveness but also support broader industry efforts to build more sustainable and resilient logistics ecosystems-an increasingly important priority for governments, businesses, and stakeholders worldwide.

Looking ahead, SATS remains focused on strengthening its role as a trusted regional and global aviation and logistics partner. Through continued investments in infrastructure, technology, and talent, as well as strategic collaborations with key stakeholders, the Group is well-positioned to capture emerging growth opportunities across Asia-Pacific and beyond. At the same time, SATS continues to prioritise innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence-ensuring that it delivers long-term value to its customers, partners, and stakeholders while contributing positively to the communities in which it operates.

Fostering deeper cooperation

Through its participation in the ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) 2026 via this external communication publication, SATS underscores its commitment to fostering deeper collaboration between Vietnam and ASEAN. By enabling the efficient movement of goods, enhancing cross-border connectivity, and supporting the development of modern logistics ecosystems, SATS contributes meaningfully to regional integration and sustainable economic growth.

As ASEAN continues to strengthen its position in global trade, SATS remains steadfast in its mission to power a more connected world of trade and travel. Working alongside its partners, SATS will continue to unlock new opportunities, drive innovation, and support the ongoing transformation of Vietnam and the broader ASEAN region into a dynamic, resilient, and globally integrated economic hub-one that is well positioned to thrive in the evolving global economy.

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