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Qantas will lease a Boeing 747-400ERF to replace an older Boeing 747-400F freighter that is currently operated for it by an external provider.
To be branded in the distinctive new Qantas Freight livery, the 747-400ERF is expected to enter service by the end of 2013, subject to regulatory approval. It will be operated by Express Freighters Australia, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Qantas Freight.
Qantas Freight Enterprises executive manager Lisa Brock said the -400ERF offered greater capacity and range, and would deliver increased efficiency.
“With an existing lease arrangement coming to an end we have taken this opportunity to update our international fleet,” Brock said, adding the near-new aircraft would reduce operating costs.
“Qantas Freight now has a five per cent share of the cargo market from China to the United States, flying from both Shanghai and Chongqing. We have a strong presence in other parts of Asia and New Zealand.
Following Qantas’s recent acquisition of 100 per cent of Australian air Express, the Qantas Freight has a fleet of 13 freight aircraft including three wetleased 747-400Fs, one 767-300F, four 737-300CF aircraft, four BAe 146s and one Saab 340.
Garbs
says:I thought AaE only had three BAe 146s; any details on the fourth? And is the Saab on lease VH-EKT? Thanks in advance.
Rosco
says:About time & at least it will be better to hear an Oz accent using the QF callsign whilst flying the international freight runs! BTW, any jobs for an experienced 747 operator who had to leave in ’89 but who is ready to come home?
Ray
says:Technically they have three, BAe 146’s NJV, NJM, NJF and a spare aircraft NJZ that is used when one of the other aircraft is US or in maintenance.
John Harrison
says:About time Qantas Freight took hold of its International links and used its own aircraft, will look out for the B747 but doubt we will see it very often in Perth.
pez
says:Good decision, but they did leave their run a bit late to get into freight under the Qantas brand. Anyway, can’t wait to see it in the QF livery too.