Qantas Freight has taken delivery of the first of three Airbus A321P2F freighters for Australia Post. The aircraft, VH-XF7, has begun services to Western Sydney International Airport (WSI). Each jet can lift up to 20,000 parcels per flight. The two remaining aircraft are due by March 2027.
Parcel peak season is close, and Qantas Freight has a new freighter in service.
On 19 October 2026, Qantas Freight and Australia Post took delivery of the first of three additional A321P2F aircraft in Western Sydney. It arrives just weeks before Black Friday sales and the peak Christmas delivery season. The full 20 per cent capacity uplift comes once all three aircraft are in service.
Qantas A321P2F Freighter: Capacity and Fleet Details
VH-XF7 arrived in Australia at the end of September. It previously flew with China Southern Airlines as B-6307. Once all three aircraft are in service, they will add up to 20 per cent capacity to the Qantas dedicated freighter network.
The jets replace the smaller BAe 146-300 freighters. Each A321P2F carries more than double the parcels per flight of the older type.
Western Sydney Freight Terminal Goes Live
The freighters will serve all Qantas Freight domestic terminals. That includes the new 24-hour terminal at WSI, which began operations in July 2026. The 24,000sqm facility moved more than 160,000 parcels in its first 24 hours. Forecast weekly throughput sits above 850 tonnes.
Executive manager Igor Kwiatkowski called the precinct “the jewel in the crown” of the carrier’s freight operation. Domestic flying comes first, with international flights to follow at WSI in the not-too-distant future.
“For us, it’s really about future-proofing freight in the Sydney Basin. It’s a 20-year asset that we’ll continue to operate, and we’ll see it grow first with domestic operations, as we already are, and then we’ll see international flights come online in the not-too-distant future.”
Igor Kwiatkowski, Qantas Freight
Australia Post Contract Drives the Investment
The first aircraft arrives a few months after Qantas Group and Australia Post extended their air freight partnership by 10 years. The relationship dates to 1922, when Qantas carried 106 letters on its first commercial flight. More than 75 million parcels and other freight items a year move under the renewed agreement.
The retired BAe 146-300 fleet was operated by National Jet Express on the StarTrack contract. That contract wrapped up earlier this year. NJE has now retired the type. Australia Post’s Mark Davies said the new aircraft add capacity while online shopping keeps growing and major retail events drive record parcel volumes.
“Together with Qantas, we’re investing in the infrastructure that keeps Australia connected. The addition of these aircraft, alongside the opening of Western Sydney International Airport’s 24-hour freight terminal, will help strengthen the resilience and capacity of our network for years to come.”
Mark Davies, Australia Post
What the A321P2F Means for Peak-Season Capacity
This is a capacity story, and the timing matters. In our view, a dedicated freighter that can lift up to 20,000 parcels per flight gives a carrier more direct control over lift in the busiest weeks of the year.
For independent forwarders, our perspective is that planning capacity early in peak season is usually the safer approach. If you are building routes across multi-leg networks, you can quote your next shipment on our portal and compare live rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the A321P2F?
It is an Airbus A321 converted from passenger to freighter. Qantas Freight is adding three for the Australia Post contract.
When do the other two aircraft arrive?
Both are scheduled to join the Qantas Freight fleet by March 2027. The first, VH-XF7, is already flying to WSI.
How much more can it carry than the BAe 146-300?
Each A321P2F can carry up to 20,000 Australia Post and StarTrack parcels per flight, which is more than double the capacity of the BAe 146-300 freighters it replaces.
Will Qantas fly international freight from WSI?
Qantas plans to add international flights at WSI in the not-too-distant future, following domestic operations.
Plan Your Peak-Season Freight
Capacity planning matters in the run-up to Christmas. Cargo Solutions Network can help you compare options and get a quote for your next shipment.
