One of the converted freighters will be used in Qantas Freight’s international network and the other will serve Australia Post’s domestic parcel and mail business.
The aircraft will be converted by Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW) and the first A330, which will be used by Australia Post will start its conversion in August 2022 and is expected to start operating in mid-2023, with the second expecting to follow in late 2023.
Alan Joyce, CEO of Qantas says: “Our freight business has boomed during the pandemic and while some of that is temporary, COVID has accelerated the permanent expansion of eCommerce and online shopping in this country.”
The CEO adds that the converted A330 will be able to carry around 50 tonnes of cargo per flight, more than double the capacity of other freighters operating for the national postal service.
Paul Graham, CEO and Managing Director of Australia Post adds: “Australia Post plays a critical role in connecting Australian businesses and communities to each other and the rest of the world, and this has never been more evident than through the global pandemic where e-commerce has grown by more than 76% when compared to just two years ago.”
Qantas Freight has also received its third Airbus A321P2F, an ex-Jetstar passenger aircraft capable of carrying 20 tonnes of cargo per flight.
Graham says: “The two A321P2F aircraft already in the skies, and the third taking off this month, provide our network with critical additional capacity and flexibility, while also improving the sustainability of our air freight operations, as they can carry twice as many parcels and require less fuel per kilo of mail and parcels uplifted.”