Six more A321F for Qantas
Qantas Freight is increasing its domestic fleet with six Airbus A321 aircraft to meet growing e-commerce demand from its customers. Since the onset of Covid-19, the national carrier’s freight division has seen a step change in cargo volumes driven partly by a structural shift to online shopping.
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.
Each A321 freighter can carry 23 t of cargo, 9 t more than the older 737s, and are around 30% more fuel efficient per tonne of freight carried. The aircraft will be sourced on the open market and converted from carrying passengers to cargo, subject to commercial negotiations. (cj)