Qantas Freight will increase its domestic fleet with six Airbus A321 aircraft to meet growing e-commerce demand and as part of replacing its older freighters.

The six A321 freighters are expected to arrive between early 2024 and mid-2026 and will replace the fleet of 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 percent more fuel efficient per tonne of freight carried.

Qantas said the aircraft will be sourced on the open market and converted from carrying passengers to cargo, subject to commercial negotiations. The 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, which has three A321P2Fs, said that replacing the remaining 737 freighters with these newer aircraft will simplify its fleet, bringing extra efficiency in training and maintenance.

The airline is also converting two widebody A330s to freighters, one of which will be used on the domestic network and will continue to supplement its fleet with wet-leased aircraft.

Qantas Freight currently owns three A321Fs, three B737-300Fs and one B737-400F. One B737-300F was retired in July 2022 after first entering service 36 years ago.