Qantas has announced the formation of a new wholly owned subsidiary domestic air freight business,Express Freighters Australia (EFA), to commence operations from October 2006 and gradually build up
a fleet of B737 freighters.Express Freighters Australia will wet lease B737-300 freighter aircraft to Australian airExpress (AaE) under a 12-year contract. AaE is a joint venture between Qantas and Australia Postthat provides domestic air capacity for mail, express and freight shipments.
The Chief Executive Officer of Qantas, Geoff Dixon, said: “This is a new and excitingbusiness that is about growth for the Qantas Group. Growing our freight operations is a corestrategy for the Qantas Group, aimed at diversifying and strengthening our revenue base.
“We will commence operations in October with one aircraft and four pilots, growing to fouraircraft and up to 40 pilots by March 2007,” he added. Qantas will convert B737-300 passenger jetsinto freighters for the new business.
Australian air Express (AaE) was originally formed to provide Australia Post with aircapacity on domestic Qantas passenger flights but expanded its business with the creation of adedicated air freighter and road transportation network.
According to information on its company website, AaE operates five B727-200freighters, two BAe146-300s and one BAe146-100, with more than 50 nightly inter-capitalfreighter services as well as day-time charters. Pick-ups and deliveries are provided through afleet of 850 courier vehicles.
