Qantas Freight is expecting a 5% rise in cargo volumes this festive season, driven by the ongoing boom in online shopping. The airline’s cargo division has forecasted the delivery of more than 50,000 tonnes of international and domestic freight during the peak Christmas period.
In preparation for the busy period, Qantas Freight had planned an additional 550 flying hours across its domestic network in November and December—equivalent to nearly 23 days of 24-hour operations. The extra flying hours are expected to add 3,000 tonnes of domestic capacity, the equivalent of transporting 12,000 fully-grown reindeer to cities and regional hubs across Australia.
In addition to seasonal gifts, mail, and international orders, Qantas Freight will handle high-demand items such as seafood, fresh produce, and flowers. As usual, there will also be shipments of critical supplies, including medicines, cars, Formula 1 vehicles, aircraft engines, and even rescue helicopters.
Qantas Freight operates a fleet of five international freighters and utilizes bellyhold space in passenger aircraft across the Qantas and Jetstar networks. Domestically, the airline runs 20 freighters, including 12 dedicated to its major partner, Australia Post, which will increase to 16 during the Christmas period. The domestic freighter fleet is expected to cover over 11 million kilometers this year, the equivalent of approximately 745 trips from Hobart to the North Pole.
On peak days in the lead-up to Christmas, Qantas Freight anticipates handling around 1 million kilograms of cargo daily—about 70% more than its typical daily volume.
To mark the festive season, one of Qantas Freight’s six A321 freighters has been specially decorated with a “Santa’s Freight” livery.
Igor Kwiatkowski, Executive Manager of Qantas Freight, highlighted the importance of the Christmas season for the airline’s operations. “The lead-up to Christmas is one of the busiest and most critical times for our freight operations,” he said in early December. “With increased flying hours, extra capacity, and our own ‘Santa’s Freight’ aircraft, we’re ready to deliver more than 50 million kilos of freight this Christmas. We’re excited to help transport gifts, cards, and perishables like mangoes and prawns across Australia and the world, playing a key role in making the season special for families.”
