Qantas selects Boeing 747-8F as 747-400F replacement

To accommodate for growing demand and the need to be more efficient, Qantas Freight has announced its decision to lease two Boeing 747-8 Freighters to replace their existing fleet of two 747-400 Freighters.

Operated on Qantas’s behalf by Atlas Air, the larger aircraft will offer 20 per cent greater freight capacity with the ability to load seven more pallets.

Citing the increasing demand driven by online shopping, fresh produce, electronics and mining equipment across the world, CEO of Qantas Domestic & Freight, Andrew David, noted the following:

“The newer, more efficient Boeing 747-8F will allow us to provide a better service for our customers with additional freight capacity and even greater reliability for time-sensitive shipments.”

The aircraft will commence operations in July of this year, operating on the existing Qantas Freight network, which will see the aircraft arriving and departing at 10 primary hubs in Australia, China and the United States.

Qantas Freights operate a 14-strong fleet, consisting of six Boeing 737 freighters, two 747-400 freighters, one 767-300ER freighter, one Saab 340 and four British Aerospace 146 freighters.

Despite the announcement of acquiring two Boeing 747-8 Freighters, to the disappointment of aviation enthusiasts, Qantas has confirmed the aircraft will wear the Atlas Air livery.