Qantas strips Airbus A330 bare and converts to freighter

QANTAS AIRBUS A330-202 VH-EBE (MSN 0842)

Qantas has stripped one of its Airbus A330's bare before it travels overseas to be converted into an air freighter. The move comes as the airline prepares to modernise its widebody fleet with incoming Airbus A350-900s, while answering to strong demand for airfreight.

Aviation enthusiasts and frequent flyers were recently invited to Qantas’ Hangar 96 at Sydney Airport where they were able to acquire pieces of the outgoing Airbus A330-200, registered as VH-EBE (MSN 0842) and nicknamed Kangaroo Valley.

The $16,300 raised will go to Qantas Pathfinders – a group of current and past Qantas staff which raises funds for NextSense (previously Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children).

Some of the items on offer included a bar cart for $2000, according to Travel Weekly, exit signs at $550, two business class seats for $3600, a cabin crew jump seat for $900 and lifejacket apron for $500.

The A330 departed Sydney (SYD/YSSY) as QF6616 at 8.01pm on the 12th of February for Dresden (DRS/EDDC) but diverted to Vienna (VIE/LOWW). QF6616 departed Vienna the next morning at 7.43am for a quick 50-minute flight to Dresden.

The aircraft in question began its career as a passenger plane with Jetstar in June 2007 before moving to the mainline carrier in 2015.

JETSTAR AIRBUS A330-202 VH-EBE (MSN 0842)

“In its new adventure as a dedicated freighter, it will carry tonnes of imports and exports – from fresh flowers and live seafood to thousands of e-commerce parcels and packages,” Ms Larritt said.

Once converted, the A330 will be able to carry up to 50 tonnes of freight on each flight.

The Qantas Group is steadily renewing its domestic and international fleet, with orders and purchase right options for almost 300 aircraft.

Eleven new aircraft are scheduled to arrive in 2023 and with this, some older passenger aircraft, including two A330s, will be converted into freighters to help meet increased demand for air cargo that has been fuelled by a sustained increase in e-commerce.

A second A330 is currently undergoing passenger to freighter conversion and is scheduled to join the dedicated Australia Post freight fleet from later this year.

Qantas Freight has a fleet of 18 aircraft and the first of an additional six A321 freighters is scheduled to arrive early next year.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Qantas

Code: QF/QFA

Aircraft: Airbus A303-202

Registration: VH-EBE

Serial Number: 0842

Engine: 2 x GE CF6-80E1A2

First Flew: 29th May 2007

Age: 15 Yrs. 7 Mts

21/06/2007 VH-EBE   Jetstar Stored 09/2015 

28/10/2015 VH-EBE  Qantas