Qantas Is Expanding Its Freight Fleet in Australia to Fulfill Demand for Online Shopping and Replaces 5 Aging Boeing 737s

Qantas Airways

Australia’s Qantas Airways (OTC:QABSY) announced on Monday that it will add six Airbus SE A321 converted freighters to its domestic fleet to replace five aging Boeing Co 737s and increase capacity in response to a boom in online shopping demand.

The A321 freighters will be acquired from the open market and changed from passenger-carrying to cargo-carrying based on commercial talks, the airline said, adding that the planes are likely to arrive between early 2024 and mid-2026.

The freighters will join three A321s that are currently part of the airline’s domestic cargo fleet and enhance carrying capacity since the A321s can carry nine tonnes more cargo than the 737s, 23 tonnes versus 16 tonnes.

Alan Joyce, the chief executive officer of Qantas (OTC:QABSY), stated that the airline’s freight sector, which achieved record first-half profitability, was one of the group’s top performers during the epidemic as Australians moved to online shopping.

Even though practically all COVID-related limitations have been lifted, demand continues substantially above pre-pandemic levels, he noted.

Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd, a major A321 passenger-plane-to-freighter converter, reported this week that conversion demand remained high, with orders for the model scheduled through 2025.

During the pandemic, the lack of passenger jet cargo-carrying capacity caused freight costs to skyrocket, delayed the retirement of older models such as MD-11s, and prompted lessors to convert undesirable older passenger planes into freight carriers.

However, the robust cargo demand that helped passenger-depleted airlines survive the epidemic is beginning to wane in the face of rising economic uncertainty, which is partly fueled by soaring inflation.

ABOUT QANTAS

Qantas (OTC:QABSY), formerly known as Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited, is widely considered as the world’s leading long-distance airline and one of Australia’s greatest brands. They have established a solid reputation for excellence in safety, operational dependability, engineering and maintenance, and customer service.

The primary business of the Qantas Group (OTC:QABSY) is the transportation of consumers via two complimentary airline brands, Qantas and Jetstar. Their airline brands provide domestic, regional, and worldwide services. The Group’s subsidiary operations include Qantas Freight Enterprises and Qantas Frequent Flyer, among others.

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