More Freighters for QF

[Greg Hyde]

Qantas expanding freight fleet to keep up with online shopping demand

Qantas is expanding its freight fleet to keep up with the growing online shopping market bolstered by the pandemic and Christmas.
It will convert two Airbus 330 aircraft - one will be used by Australia Post to deliver parcels around the country, and the second will serve the international network. These will be ready by 2023.

A third Airbus A321P2F freighter will join the Qantas Freight fleet this week which will also be used by Australia Post in the lead up to what's expected to be the busiest Christmas ever for air cargo.

https://www.9news.com.au/national/qantas-expanding-freight-fleet-converting-airbus-330/f1825c1b-d239-4b3d-9768-0a1acbf83da3

[Steve S... 2]

Wouldn't mind betting that the two A330 freight conversion candidates will be two out of these four, EBA-EBD.

[MarkR]

More details:

The aircraft will be converted by EFW, a joint venture between Airbus and ST Engineering. Conversion work will include removing seats, replacing the existing cabin door with a larger door and the installation of a cargo handling system.

The first A330 aircraft, which will be utilised by Australia Post, will start its conversion in August 2022 and is expected to start operating in mid-2023 with the second to start operating in late 2023.

Source https://www.qantasnewsroom.com.au/media-releases/qantas-announces-two-widebody-freighters-to-meet-permanent-increase-in-e-commerce-demand/

[Tristan S]

Wouldn't mind betting that the two A330 freight conversion candidates will be two out of these four, EBA-EBD.

EBB and EBD havent flown since March 2020.

[C Patters]

Yep I reckon EBB & EBD as per Tristan's comments above

[James Smith]

If the A332's are EBB & EBD will either or both return to passenger services prior to their conversion, being eight months for the first aircraft and longer for the second?

[Greg Hyde]

At the bottom of the QF Media Release

Further information

* The Airbus A330-200 aircraft will be able to carry can carry up to 50 tonnes of freight.
* The Airbus A321 can carry around 20 tonnes of freight.
* After the conversions, the Group will operate up to 25 dedicated freighter aircraft.
* The A330 offers a more sustainable solution, with less air movements required for larger loads.

[Sean L]

I heard somewhere it was going to be EBE and EBF

[Brian Wilkes]

Good news!

[MarkR]

Good news!

It’s good to see QF finally seeing the benefit of converting their ex pax aircraft, it’s a pity with the benefit of hindsight they didn’t do a few 767s, they carry more weight than the A330 with 56T vs 50.

[Greg Hyde]

I heard somewhere it was going to be EBE and EBF

Read the same, issue with the floor load limit (lighter construction) on the early
models.

[Sean L]

Apparently EBE is getting converted in Dresden and EBF in Mobile Alabama. Start in Q3 of 2022

[Kent Broadhead]

Apparently EBE is getting converted in Dresden and EBF in Mobile Alabama. Start in Q3 of 2022

Interesting to know they've developed that capability for the Mobile plant. I thought it only managed final delivery for US narrowbody birds?

[Sean L]

Interesting to know they've developed that capability for the Mobile plant. I thought it only managed final delivery for US narrowbody birds?

I have no idea haha, but here's the source
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/elbe-flugzeugwerke-gmbh_qantas-qantasfreight-australiapost-activity-6874260823443812352-LDfb

[Brenden S]

I too saw VH-EBE and VH-EBF being the P2F aircraft on an instagram story.