Summary
- Qantas Freight is transitioning to an all-Airbus freighter fleet, retiring Boeing aircraft in 2024.
- E-commerce demand is driving the change, with Airbus A321P2Fs offering more cargo capability and fuel efficiency.
- Qantas added Airbus A330P2F for international and domestic services, increasing fleet capability by 29%.
While Qantas Domestic is busy replacing its Boeing single-aisle aircraft with Airbus airplanes its freight arm, Qantas Freight, is doing the identical thing by retiring its fleet of Boeing freighters. The Boeing freighters might be replaced with converted Airbus A321 freighters this yr.
The tip of the Boeing era
In accordance with , Qantas plans to retire its aging fleet of 4 Boeing freighters in 2024 and replace them with three Airbus A321 freighters. The report said the primary Airbus A321P2F (passenger to freighter) is as a result of arrive in March, while the opposite two aircraft will join Qantas Freight within the second half of the yr.
The 4 aircraft slated to be retired this yr include two Boeing 737-300BDSFs, one 737-400SF and one 767-300F. Qantas is already operating three Airbus A321-200PFs and had expected the subsequent three during 2023 because it looks to construct a fleet of 12 Airbus A321s over the subsequent five years.
Qantas didn’t provide with the specifics of the alternative aircraft, however the report suggests they may come via lessor JPLS Ireland Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Japan’s JP Lease Products and Services Co. Two of the lessor’s A321P2Fs recently left Guangzhou Baiyun International (CAN) after being converted by EFW and headed to Clark International (CRK) within the Philippines.
Photo: Airbus
Each converted jets are powered by V2500 engines, with one an ex-Cathay Pacific (MSN1695) and the opposite formerly flown by British Airways (MSN 2799). The change to the Airbus A321s will increase network reach and capability in comparison with the retiring 737 jets, making them suitable for domestic operations and trans-Tasman, near Pacific and Asia markets.
E-commerce is changing the market
Additionally it is driven by the structural change in air freight markets as a result of the increasing demand from e-commerce activity. The A321P2Fs have fully containerized principal and lower decks and provides Qantas fleet commonality with the lower emission aircraft helping the airline towards its sustainability goals.
Photo: Airbus
Qantas has removed two 737-300BDSFs, including the 1986 737 carrying MSN 23478 in 2022 and the 1987 737 MSN 23488 at the top of 2023. The A321s can carry 23 tonnes of cargo, which is nine tonnes greater than the 737s and are around 30% more fuel efficient per tonne of freight carried.
Photo: Australia Post
In October 2023, Qantas Freight added the primary of two Airbus A330P2F that previously operated passenger flights for Jetstar and Qantas. One aircraft is destined for Qantas Freight international network services, while the opposite might be added to the dedicated fleet serving Australia Post’s domestic parcel and mail service.
The primary A330P2F to reach was delivered to Jetstar in August 2007 and transferred to the Qantas fleet in August 2015. The widebody freighters can carry 130 tonnes of freight and increase overall fleet capability by 29% in comparison with the Boeing 737F they’re replacing.
Are P2F conversions an efficient to increase the lifetime of A330s? Tell us within the comments.