SAAA History

Our History

From six pioneering cargo agents to Singapore's leading voice in airfreight — discover the story of SAAA.

Our Journey

The Story of SAAA

Established on 21 April 1971, Madam Mary Wu, Managing Director of Singapore Baggage Transport Agency Pte Ltd, formed the Singapore Aircargo Agents Association (SAAA). Its purpose was to advocate the promotion, protection and development of the business of carriage of goods by air transportation, as well as enhancing competiveness of the Air Cargo Forwarding business.

SAAA was an amalgamation of six pioneering cargo agents. The members of the first Board comprised of:

Chairman
Mary Wu
Singapore Baggage Transport Agency Pte Ltd
Deputy Chairman
Amir Kassim
Air Cargo International Pte Ltd
Honorary Treasurer
Cheah Eng Lin
Sam Foo Transport (Travel Service) Company Pte Ltd
Honorary Secretary
Gustav Patrick Sims
Singapore Baggage Transport Agency Pte Ltd
Board Member
Paul Armstrong
K.C. Dat (S) Pte Ltd
Board Member
Siew Weng Joo
Singapore Baggage Transport Agency Pte Ltd
Board Member
Jackie Chua
Hecny Transportation Pte Ltd
Board Member
Alan C.Y. Low
Central Air-Cargo Agency Pte Ltd

In the 70s, numerous new international agents were setting up their offices in Singapore. This became a growing concern for the local agents and it prompted SAAA to step in and help upgrade their services and skills to meet new challenging demands.

Training History

SAAA Cargo Services & Training Development

SAAA Cargo Services Pte Ltd (SCS) was formed as an investment arm of SAAA. Among its diverse activities, SCS undertakes cargo clearance permit processing service, sale of the Trade Development Board's revenue stamps, providing cargo insurance coverage for shipments, and issuing Certificate of Origin. Training courses are also gradually being transferred to SCS from SAAA. SCS is now accredited by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as an Authorised Training Centre to conduct courses.

SAAA had since grown its membership base and works closely with various Government bodies and organisations to develop and propel the local air transportation industry. SAAA Cargo Services Pte Ltd was formed in 1988 as the commercial arm of SAAA to provide the following services to the industry:

01Tradenet Documentations
02Training courses (Accredited IATA Training Center)
03Sale of Bar Code Labels
04Neutral Airway Bills
05Issuing of Certificate of Origin

2013 marks a significant year for SAAA. A rebranding exercise was completed and on 1 October, SAAA@Singapore was officially launched by Mrs. Josephine Teo, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Finance. The significant change is that SAAA@Singapore can now encompass all air logistics related sectors to better represent the industry.

Vision & Mission

Our Vision & Mission

Our Vision

We want to lead and transform the Airfreight Industry to meet the International Challenges and be a National showcase of Aviation Logistics Capabilities.

Our Mission

To lead and transform the Airfreight Industry through our core values:

P
Passion — For continuous self-improvement
A
Ace — In innovation and delivering consistent excellence
C
Commitment — To roll great service and strive for change
T
Trust — In our Partners and engaging in future collaborations

The Singapore Aircargo Agents Association (SAAA) was founded in 1971 with six pioneer members. As a representative of freight forwarders in the industry, SAAA was formed with the aim of advocating the following objectives:

  • 01To promote, protect and develop the business of carriage of goods by air transportation in general and the aircargo forwarding business in particular
  • 02To advance and promote education and technical training in the aircargo forwarding industry and for such purposes to support training schemes
  • 03To act as arbitrators and assist in the settlement of disputes between members
  • 04To act as negotiating body for the member of the Association or with the approval of the Association, for any person, body or company for the transaction of any business connected with aircargo and to make recommendations to Government Departments or Agencies, IATA or other bodies in relation to any measure which may be taken involving members and/or the aircargo industry in Singapore
  • 05To set and regulate high standards and practices to be maintained by members
  • 06To protect the interest of SAAA members

SAAA is a member of:

  • Federation of Asia-Pacific Aircargo Associations (FAPAA)
  • International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA)
  • ASEAN Federation of Forwarders Associations (AFA)
  • Singapore International Chamber of Commerce (SICC)
  • Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI)

Industry Committee Participation:

  • Airport Police Department (APD)
  • Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)
  • Singapore Customs (SC)
  • Customs Advisory Committee (CAC)
  • Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA)
  • Land Transport Authority (LTA)
  • International Air Transport Association (IATA)
  • Changi International Airport Services Pte Ltd (CIAS)
  • SATS Airport Services Pte Ltd (SATS)
  • International Enterprise Singapore (IE Singapore)
  • Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA)
  • SPRING Singapore