QANTAS Freight is acquiring six Airbus A321 freighters to meet what it said is “growing e-commerce demand from its customers”.
The company said the aircraft would be sourced on the open market and converted from carrying passengers to cargo. This conversion work will include removing seats and the installation of a cargo-handling system.
The six A321 freighters, which are expected to progressively arrive between early calendar year 2024 and mid-2026, will replace the long-term fleet of five Boeing 737 freighters that are approaching the end of their economic life.
Qantas currently has three A321 freighters (which were converted from passenger aircraft). It is replacing the remaining 737 freighters with these newer aircraft. The company said this would simplify its fleet, bringing extra efficiency in training and maintenance.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the freight division plays a vital role in Australia’s supply chain and the investment in new aircraft would grow its operations to support increased demand for next-day delivery.
“Qantas Freight has been one of the standout performers for the group during the pandemic as Australians rapidly shifted to online shopping. While some of that shift is temporary, demand remains well-above pre-pandemic levels even with the lifting of almost all COVID-related restrictions,” Mr Joyce said.
He said this is one of the largest-ever investments in the company’s domestic freight fleet.
“[It] will enable Qantas Freight to capture more of that demand and will provide the opportunity to help Freight further grow revenue and earnings,” he said.
“The first three A321P2F have been a fantastic addition to our fleet and operating a single-type of narrow body aircraft in the future will enable us to generate further operational efficiencies and significantly reduce emissions per tonne of freight flown.”
The company said since the onset of COVID-19, its freight division has seen a step change in cargo volumes driven partly by a structural shift to online shopping.
Each A321 freighter can carry 23 tonnes of cargo, nine tonnes more than the older 737s, and are around 30% more fuel efficient per tonne of freight carried.
Qantas is also converting two widebody A330s to freighters, one of which will be used on the domestic network and will continue to supplement its fleet with wet-leased aircraft.
Qantas Freight had a record performance in the first half of FY22 due to increased demand for e-commerce, higher international yields driven by supply chain disruption, and reduced capacity on passenger flights.
