Australian airline Qantas will significantly increase its Australia to New Zealand freight capacity next year with the deployment of a larger aircraft on its trans-Tasman-sea route, the group announced on Monday.
Qantas Freight will replace its current Boeing 767-200F with a Boeing 767-300F on its Sydney-Aukland-Christchurch-Sydney service from February 2011. The new aircraft has a maximum payload of 59 tonnes – an increase of approximately 40 per cent over the B767-200F.
Qantas Freight executive manager Stephen Cleary said the group was introducing the new aircraft in response to continued strong trans-Tasman demand from Australian and New Zealand exporters.
“The Tasman is one of Qantas Freight’s most important markets and this investment reinforces the commitment we made when we established the freighter operation in 2009. It will provide Australian and New Zealand exporters with more dedicated capacity and even better service reliability,” Mr Cleary said.
Mr Cleary said the B767-300F was a fully featured, modern, purpose-built freighter aircraft offering numerous advantages in aircraft systems and payload capability, compared to other aircraft operating on the sector.
“The aircraft features a temperature controlled main deck and lower cargo hold compartments, large fore and aft cargo doors, power loading systems and advanced avionic systems that enhance reliability and on-time performance,” he said.
“In recognition of the significant long-term commitment the Qantas Group is making to its freight operations, the aircraft will also be the to feature a Qantas Freight-specific livery featuring a plain red tail and large, stylised Qantas Freight lettering on both sides of the aircraft’s window-free fuselage,” he added
The aircraft will be operated for Qantas Freight by Express Freighters Australia (EFA), the Group’s freighter management company. EFA holds its own Air Operators Certificate and currently operates four Boeing 737-300 freighter aircraft on behalf of Australian air Express.
The shipment of perishables including fresh fruit and vegetables is a key part of Qantas Freight’s product make up, the group told Fruitnet.com.
Qantas recently added Jetstar Asia/Valuair networks to its system to expand its position as an airfreight carrier across South East Asia.
“We can now offer customers across our network seamless service and alternative routing through any of the ports on the Jetstar Asia/Valuair network and for exporters and manufactures in these ports, access to the breadth of the global Qantas network,” said a spokeswoman.
Jetstar Asia and Valuair together operate over 400 weekly flights out of Singapore and their networks include the strategically important ports of Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Hong Kong and Taipei.
Qantas Freight said its main routes for perishables are ex-Australian and New Zealand into Asia and the US, where Qantas has a key competitive advantage in that it offers direct services and doesn’t have to route via hubs.
“All our terminals offer services and facilities tailored to suit the local market,” says the spokeswoman. “Just last year we completed a multi-million dollar redevelopment of our Melbourne terminal facility to include Australia’s only dedicated airside perishables facility. The fully automated facility is a key competitive advantage for Qantas and handled carriers.”
While airfreight in general has rebounded strongly this year, out of Australia the high dollar is starting to have an impact on the volumes of certain commodities being exported, the spokeswoman added.
“In terms of perishables there are currently concerns around exports of strawberries. That said Australian produce is highly regarded around the world and it is definitely too premature make any long term forecast,” she said.
“We expect the industry’s main challenge for 2011 will be ensuring that capacity growth is sustainable given the ongoing economic fragility in some regions.”
