SYDNEY- Australian flag carrier Qantas (QF) has revealed the special ‘Santa Freight’ livery on one of its Airbus A321 fighter planes ahead of the special holiday travel season.
Qantas Freight is gearing up for an unprecedented holiday shipping season, ramping up its operational capacity to meet surging demand driven by increasing online shopping trends. The airline will deploy a specialized fleet to transport over 50,000 tonnes of international and domestic freight, marking a five percent volume increase compared to the previous year.
Qantas Santa Freight Livery
The freight operation will significantly expand its network capabilities, scheduling approximately 550 additional flying hours across domestic routes during November and December.
This ambitious expansion represents an equivalent of 23 consecutive days of round-the-clock operations, strategically designed to ensure timely delivery of gifts and critical holiday ingredients nationwide.
The additional operational capacity translates to 3,000 tonnes of domestic freight, comparable to transporting 12,000 fully-grown reindeer to cities and regional destinations throughout Australia.
To commemorate the festive season, Qantas Freight has transformed one of its six Airbus A321 freighters with a vibrant ‘Santa’s Freight’ livery, symbolizing the company’s commitment to holiday logistics.
QantasLink has also unveiled a special Santa livery on Dasher-8 and Boeing 737 ‘Roo-Dolph’ aircraft.
This specially decorated aircraft will carry a diverse range of cargo, including packages, mail, and quintessential Australian holiday items such as seafood, seasonal produce, and traditional Christmas puddings.
Executive Remarks
Qantas Freight’s Executive Manager, Igor Kwiatkowski, highlighted the critical operational challenges and strategic preparations for the upcoming Christmas shipping period.
The airline is mobilizing its comprehensive logistics network to manage an anticipated 50 million kilograms of freight during the festive season.
While Santa and his elves have been preparing to fly gifts for kids around the world, Qantas Freight has been busy getting our fleet of freight sleighs ready for the Christmas peak.
Igor Kwiatkowski, Executive Manager, Qantas Freight
We’ve increased flying hours, and we’ll have more support, extra capacity and our very own ‘Santa’s Freight’ aircraft to deliver more than 50 million kilos of freight this Christmas.
We’ll be spending the next few weeks flying gifts, cards, and perishables like mangoes and prawns across the country, and the world, and we’re delighted to play this important role for what is a really special time for families.”
Strong Cargo Network
Qantas Freight is preparing for a massive holiday logistics surge, deploying its extensive fleet to transport critical cargo across Australia and internationally. The company will utilize five international freighters and passenger aircraft belly space to move goods worldwide.
The domestic fleet of 20 freighters, including 12 dedicated aircraft for Australia Post, will play a crucial role in holiday logistics. During the Christmas period, this fleet will expand to 16 aircraft to meet increased demand.
This year, the domestic freighter fleet is projected to cover more than 11 million kilometers—equivalent to approximately 745 round trips from Hobart to the North Pole. During peak holiday periods, Qantas Freight anticipates carrying around 1 million kilograms of cargo daily, a 70% increase from typical daily volumes.
The holiday cargo manifest encompasses a diverse range of essential and celebratory items:
- Perishable Food: Fresh produce including mangoes, cherries, strawberries, and stone fruit
- Seafood: Live, fresh, and frozen lobsters, coral trout, mussels, abalone, and prawns
- Protein: Beef, pork, and lamb
- Dairy Products: Milk, yogurt, and cheese
- Decorative Items: Fresh cut flowers
- Specialty Cargo: Cars and F1 vehicles
- Critical Supplies: Aircraft engines, rescue helicopters, and medicines
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