The Qantas Group has retired its last B737-400 (SF). VH-XNH (MSN 24796) was retired on 15 August after operating a round trip service between Melbourne Tullamarine and Hobart International. The group began using the 34-year-old aircraft in 2017.

Qantas Group’s wholly owned subsidiary Express Freighters Australia (QE, Sydney Kingsford Smith) operated the aircraft on behalf of Qantas Freight (Sydney Kingsford Smith), which used it to transport parcels and mail under a contract with Australia Post. For the time being, Qantas Freight continues to use the wet-lease B737-400SFs from Airwork Flight Operations (AWK, Auckland International).

“The retirement of these classic B737s paves the way for a new era of larger and more fuel efficient A321-200(P2F)s,” the Qantas Group posted on its social media platforms this week.

Qantas Freight currently operates six A321F(P2F), all leased from Express Freighters Australia. This subsidiary also operates two A330-200(P2F) and one B767-300F for Qantas Freight. In addition, it has leased one ATR72-200(F) from Aerlink, five B737-400(SF) from Airwork, two B747-400FSCD from Atlas Air, and three BAe 146-200(QT), two BAe 146-300(QT) and one B737-800(BCF) from ASL Airlines Australia. A third BAe 146-300(QT) will be supplied by National Jet Express.