Qantas buying 3 x A321PCF's.

[lloyd fox]

Source :SMH.

"Australia Post and Qantas have struck a $1.4 billion deal that will see the airline introduce three new Airbus freighters to its network to help meet Australia's surging demand for online shopping.

Under the agreement, Australia Post will continue to have access to Qantas' dedicated freighter airline network, along with priority access to belly space on 1500 passenger flights.

Qantas will also invest in three new Airbus A321P2F aircraft, former passenger jets which have been converted into cargo jets, which boast a holding capacity of 208 cubic metres and can ship nearly 28 tonnes.

Compared to the airlines' existing Boeing 737 cargo planes, each of these new aircraft will have an increased capacity of nine tonnes and are due to enter the fleet in October next year.

Qantas will be the first in the world to operate the popular A321 as a cargo plane, with chief executive Alan Joyce saying the expansion was essential to keep up with Australia's love for online shopping."

[Greg Hyde]

Maybe of interest

https://www.aircargonews.net/airlines/freighter-operator/vallair-confirmed-as-source-of-first-qantas-a321-freighter/

[Brenden S]

https://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-a321-835.htm

[Greg Hyde]

Vallair who is supplying QF with their A321P2F freighters have been acquiring A321 "feedstock" (their terminology) for the P2F conversions.

We know the first QF aircraft is 835.

Other A321s acquired for conversion are: 891, 677, 827, 974, 1017.

Some of these aircraft have been leased out whilst they await conversion.

[Greg Hyde]

First conversion revealed

https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/9579536

[Greg Hyde]

First flight post conversion

https://www.skyliner-aviation.de/viewphoto.main?LC=nav2&picid=10523

Note: Winglet colour

[Brenden S]

Interesting to note that all the doors have been removed and the fuselage been reskinned.

[MarkR]

Interesting to note that all the doors have been removed and the fuselage been reskinned.

They have removed the rear door, however the trailing wing door is still there, and have removed the door forward of the wing and replaced it with the container access door. It also looks like the forward door has in fact been moved forward presumably to stop a full load blocking it.

[Brian Wilkes]

Main Cargo door seems close to the engine as well?

[Brenden S]

The Main cargo door is close to the engines on the B737-300F as well.

[lloyd fox]

It is now in Seletar as of yesterday according to Skyliner news.

[Greg Hyde]

Airbus A321 -231(F) 835 VH-ULD Express Freighters Australia at XSP 16jun20 after P2F-conversion and paint into Qamtas Australia Post cs ex D-ANJA

ULD - Unit load devices

Not on reg as yet

All work, conversion, testing , paint done at Seletar

[Bob C]

As one who works in an Australia Post Delivery Centre in W A, I see many ULDs overflowing with parcels every night of the week so the registration VH-ULD for the first A321F is most appropriate.

[Sean L]

Any scheduled arrival into Australia yet?

[Joseph Saragozza.]

There was a few photos floating around of ULD in the paint hanger, but I can’t seem to find them.

[Tom PER]

There was a few photos floating around of ULD in the paint hanger, but I can’t seem to find them.

Would really like too see some pics of -ULD if you locate them.

Also do we know the MSN of A321PCF #2?

Believe the third one is currently -VWY with JQ.

[Brenden S]

No JQ ones at this point in time.

[Greg Hyde]

Vallair who is supplying QF with their A321P2F freighters have been acquiring A321 "feedstock" (their terminology) for the P2F conversions.

We know the first QF aircraft is 835.

Other A321s acquired for conversion are: 891, 677, 827, 974, 1017.

Some of these aircraft have been leased out whilst they await conversion.

These aircraft were sourced for conversions.

I also noticed this one today:

Airbus A321 -231 974 TC-OEC Onur Air ferried 18jun20 ISL-CHR, for JMV Aviation Vallair, for freighter conversion

[Sean L]

Confirmed rego VH-ULD

[Sean L]

Apparently it's arriving in October this year.

[Sean L]

https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/9834002
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/9833973
https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/9833549
All photos of D-ANJA (VH-ULD)

[Greg Hyde]

Note: "LD" on nose wheel door

[Greg Hyde]

VH-ULD was added to the register on 08/10

[Greg Hyde]

VH-ULD has commenced its delivery flight and is expected into Perth later today.

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/VHULD

[MarkR]

VH-ULD has commenced its delivery flight and is expected into Perth later today.

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/VHULD

Where she went u/s!

[James Smith]

ULD left PER at 19:09 last evening for MEL after 29 hours on the ground to fix a problem.

[Max C]

In service overnight as QF7350/QF7305, MEL-BNE-MEL.

[Greg Hyde]

thks max

[James Smith]

Does anyone know when the next two conversions to A321P2F are due for delivery to QANTAS Freight?

[Greg Hyde]

Qantas flies world’s first A321 converted passenger freighter

Qantas has finally begun flying the world’s first A321 converted to carry cargo rather than passengers.

Australian Aviation photographer Dave Soda was in Melbourne last week to capture the moment the A321-231 Passenger to Freighter Conversion, VH-ULD, landed in Melbourne.

The A321P2F is operated by Qantas in partnership with Australian Post and is one of three to be delivered to the airline. The flag carrier traditionally uses its 737-300Fs for its freight services and this particular Airbus was originally delivered to British Midland in 1998 as G-MIDC.

Last year, Australian Aviation reported how Qantas and Australia Post agreed an expanded seven-year contract covering both domestic and international air freight worth $1 billion, with the A321 a part of the deal.

“Consumer preferences and expectations are rapidly changing and together with Australia Post we’re responding by growing our dedicated freighter fleet to provide a better experience for consumers and businesses,” Qantas group chief executive Alan Joyce said in a statement.

https://australianaviation.com.au/2020/10/qantas-flies-worlds-first-a321-converted-passenger-freighter/

[Greg Hyde]

Vallair who is supplying QF with their A321P2F freighters have been acquiring A321 "feedstock" (their terminology) for the P2F conversions.

We know the first QF aircraft is 835.

Other A321s acquired for conversion are: 891, 677, 827, 974, 1017.

Some of these aircraft have been leased out whilst they await conversion.

James, the above frames were acquired for P2F conversion.

[Tom PER]

Correct but has it been confirmed that QF/Australia Post are actually acquiring additional Vallair sourced A321’s?

Other sources are saying that JQ’s -VWZ is #2 and -VWY is #3.

Do we know when the next A321P2F is due for delivery?

[MarkR]

Vallair who is supplying QF with their A321P2F freighters have been acquiring A321 "feedstock" (their terminology) for the P2F conversions.

The thread title and your statement are both in error, Qantas has leased their first aircraft from Valuair, they have not entered into an agreement to buy three or lease three from Vallair. Smart lynx have taken two from Vallair, MSNs 891 and MSN 1017, which were converted by two different companies, 321 Precision for one (891) and EFW for the other, and they are planning another 8 by 2023. I don’t believe the second and third aircraft have had a supplier confirmed.

[Oliver Gigacz]

QF is the registered holder which indicates that they own the aircraft...

https://www.casa.gov.au/aircraft-register?search_api_views_fulltext=&vh=uld&field_ar_serial=

[MarkR]

Interesting, all releases indicate it’s a lease, which is the case for the next aircraft as well which is not coming from Vallair: “ Australian carrier Qantas has signed a letter of intent with Keystone Holdings to convert and lease an A321P2F, the airline’s second freighter of the kind. The aircraft is expected to be redelivered by the end of 2021, after conversion at the ST Aerospace facility in Singapore (XSP) by Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW)”

https://cargofacts.com/allposts/logistics/carriers/qantas-signs-loi-for-second-a321f/

That aircraft is one of the JQbirds, VH-VWY which is leased.

[Tom PER]

Coincidentally -VWY is currently at XSP, but based on those above timelines and other sources it’s for a HMV.

[MarkR]

ULD hasn’t flown for some time.

[Tom PER]

JQ’s -VWZ has been up in XSP since 3/1/21, does anyone know if she’s stored, undergoing an extended maintenance visit or P2F conversion?

[Tristan S]

VH-VWX is currently positioning to SIN as JQ8995

[James Smith]

After reading the latest post on this thread I was trying to find where VH-ULD had its conversion (XSP). I then noticed that the aircraft regularly arrives from BNE and departs SYD to PER, in the early morning hours. Does the A321P2F have approval to operate into and out of SYD during curfew? It looks to be too regular to be a special dispensation.

[Tristan S]

After reading the latest post on this thread I was trying to find where VH-ULD had its conversion (XSP). I then noticed that the aircraft regularly arrives from BNE and departs SYD to PER, in the early morning hours. Does the A321P2F have approval to operate into and out of SYD during curfew? It looks to be too regular to be a special dispensation.

https://engage.airservicesaustralia.com/sydney-airport-qantas-freight-operations


"Dispensations allow for some BAe146 aircraft to be replaced with Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 narrow body freighters. The Boeing 737s and A320 freighters are younger, more fuel efficient and carry more freight per movement then existing aircraft operating overnight to/from Sydney Airport."
I assume A320 means A320 family aircraft.

[James Smith]

Very interesting, Tristan. Thanks for the link to the website. Pity that the dispensation is only effective to 30 June, 2021.

[Brenden S]

This was due to COVID and the requirement for freight. Airlines managed to get a 12 month dispensation for curfew flights.

[Tristan S]

This was due to COVID and the requirement for freight. Airlines managed to get a 12 month dispensation for curfew flights.

Yeah.. less RPT flights means less cargo being carried that way .. the lil old 146s/RJs just couldnt cope!

[Tom PER]

Can confirm -VWZ is undergoing P2F conversion at ST Aero at XSP, she’ll be temp re-registered with a European rego I believe as her conversion will be under EASA certification, before going back to the VH register.

[Adrian B]

Slight side note - found this YouTube clip on converting an ex Thai A330 -322 to a freighter.

Link to Youtube "Aircraft Conversion XXL" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMILhFItbSM)

[Kent Broadhead]

Slight side note - found this YouTube clip on converting an ex Thai A330 -322 to a freighter.

Link to Youtube "Aircraft Conversion XXL" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMILhFItbSM)

Coincidentally i watched that just a couple of weeks ago. It's really interesting, although most of the footage isn't of the ex-Thai bird.

[Tristan S]

Plane Spotters now shows VH-VWZ as 'Cargo' due to Qantas, operated by Express Freighters.

https://www.planespotters.net/airframe/airbus-a321-200-vh-vwz-jetstar-airways/eg2pvr

[MarkR]

VH-ULD has not flown much of late, reliability seems to be a big issue, not good when the cargo needs are seeing quite a lot of extra A330 flights.

[Tristan S]

VH-VWZ has been re-registered VH-ULW with the registered operator now Express Freighters.

[MarkR]

VH-VWZ has been re-registered VH-ULW with the registered operator now Express Freighters.

Must not be far off, did a test flight Thursday

[Brenden S]

I think delivery for this one was September and the last one December? I am sure someone could find the original dates.

[Jamie D]

VH-ULW is currently performing a test flight off the coast of Singapore as QFA7300

[Greg Hyde]

Looks like a QF test/acceptance flight based on the flight number

[Tristan S]

Am reading it will arrive in PER tomorrow as QF7302 arrival 1430L.

[James Smith]

VH-ULW is currently halfway to PER and has been cruising at 27,000 feet and kept to 400 knots since departure, making it a 5 hour 40 minute flight.

[Yusef D]

VH-ULW is currently halfway to PER and has been cruising at 27,000 feet and kept to 400 knots since departure, making it a 5 hour 40 minute flight.

Odd altitude profile. I'm guessing it doesn't have RVSM approval yet, and while Australian ATC let it come in non-RVSM getting the other countries' approval was too hard.

[James Smith]

Thanks for the information on RVSM (Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum), Yusef. At 2 hours 43 minutes into the flight the aircraft slowly climbed to 39,000 feet, taking 50 minutes to do so with speed increasing to approximately 440 knots. The aircraft was approximately 550 miles north of the WA coast at the time.

[James Smith]

VH-ULW is scheduled to depart PER for SYD shortly with an ETA of 13:32.

[Greg Hyde]

Should pass her sister-ship flying in the opposite direction on QF7349, Sydney to Perth

[Yusef D]

Thanks for the information on RVSM (Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum), Yusef. At 2 hours 43 minutes into the flight the aircraft slowly climbed to 39,000 feet, taking 50 minutes to do so with speed increasing to approximately 440 knots. The aircraft was approximately 550 miles north of the WA coast at the time.


That would approximate the handover from WIIF (Indonesian airspace) to YMMM (Australian airspace).

The change in ground speed would logically follow, at a higher altitude the most economical true airspeed is higher.

[Greg Hyde]

Arriving Perth

http://aegwaspotters.blogspot.com/2021/08/express-freighters-qantas-freight.html

[Greg Hyde]

Is VH-VWY in Singapore getting a Cargo Conversion ?

[Brenden S]

Yes, it arrived in September I think.

[Greg Hyde]

Thks Brenden

Been there since May

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/VHVWY

That's what drew my attention

[Brenden S]

It takes 6 months to do the conversion, so it can't be too far away now.

[Greg Hyde]

VH-VWY rego was changed/ownership to VH-ULY on 24/11/21

Delivery can't be too far away.

[lloyd fox]

I've heard this week Greg.Mayby 01 Dec?:)

[Greg Hyde]

I've heard this week Greg.Mayby 01 Dec?:)

ULY had a test flight yesterday.

[Tristan S]

Performed another test flight today.

[Greg Hyde]

Thanks, Tristan

I think these flights are actually QF acceptance flights based on QF Flight numbers. (QF7300 & QF7399)

[Greg Hyde]

All the bugs have been fixed.

Scheduled to lease Singapore to Perth around 40mins as QF7301 and ETA Perth 20:30

[Greg Hyde]

https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10387542#modal-large-photo

[MarkR]

Another 6 ordered to replace the 737s 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 tonnes of cargo, nine tonnes more than the older 737s, and are around 30 per cent 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. Their model designation is A321P2F, which stands for ‘Passenger to Freighter’. This conversion work will include removing seats and the installation of a cargo handling system.
Qantas currently has three A321P2Fs and replacing the remaining 737 freighters with these newer aircraft will simplify Freight’s fleet, bringing extra efficiency in training and maintenance.
https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-freight-expands-to-meet-online-shopping-demand/

[Brenden S]

Good to see a domestic capacity increase and another 6 frames from somewhere in the world.

[James Smith]

The QANTAS Media Release for the A321P2F order contained the following sentence:

One B737-300F was retired in July 2022 after first entering service 36 years ago.

This aircraft is VH-XMB which operated its last flight, QF7350 from MEL-BNE on 19/7/22 and arrived in the early hours of 20/7/22. It had a two hour test flight from BNE on 12/8/22, so it looks as though it is leaving our shores to continuing flying for another freight airline.

[Alex Ch]

This aircraft is VH-XMB which operated its last flight, QF7350 from MEL-BNE on 19/7/22 and arrived in the early hours of 20/7/22. It had a two hour test flight from BNE on 12/8/22, so it looks as though it is leaving our shores to continuing flying for another freight airline.

VH-XMB is the former VH-TAG from TN/QF delivered in 1986. Amazing effort at 36 years old of age to be still going strong

[lloyd fox]

Yes i photographed VH-XMB the other day at BNE doing it's test flight.I believe off to a Asian freight airline?:)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/79487691@N07/52279829988/in/dateposted/

[Yusef D]

Indonesia has significant demand and errrm throughput of 737 freighters.

[Steve S... 2]

Re the announced 6 additional A321 freighters for QF Freight - coincidentally JQ have 6 older (well 2 are fairly young) A321's.

The possibility of new A321neo's gradually freeing up the 6 JQ A321's to head across to QF Freight?

[Greg Hyde]

Re the announced 6 additional A321 freighters for QF Freight - coincidentally JQ have 6 older (well 2 are fairly young) A321's.

The possibility of new A321neo's gradually freeing up the 6 JQ A321's to head across to QF Freight?

Steve, from the announcement "The aircraft will be sourced on the open market"

[Greg Hyde]

VH-XMB is the former VH-TAG from TN/QF delivered in 1986. Amazing effort at 36 years old of age to be still going strong

From the QF announcement "will replace the long-term fleet of five Boeing 737 freighters that are approaching the end of their economic life."

Not sure, if they will continue or be scrapped ?

[Zac M]

XMB ferried to ASP on 19/8


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Brenden S]

Total fleet of 12 now.