Will QF do a 747 freighter conversion on their retirement?

7 replies

Madhatter49

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 11 Dec 2016

Total posts 86

I've been watching the Atlas Air 747 freighter plane number N492MC fly around the world on flightrader for the past 18 months or so and it seems to be permanently contracted to Qantas for 95% of that time flying QF flight numbers.


What's the likelyhood that QF are building up a frieght market enough to make it worthwhile to do a conversion of one of the ex 747 (logically an ER if they were to do it once they get retired in 2020?
It would be far more profitable to use one they own and have paid off I'm sure than paying for a contracted 747 on a daily basis.
Have read there's a large demand for 747 frieghters at the moment and a number of airlines have been converting their 747s after retirement from passenger use.


I may be quite wrong on this, but would think that the conversion cost would outweigh the benefits of getting another 20 or so years life out of one of them. Considering QF kept the 767 as a frieghter after getting rid of the rest of the passenger 767 fleet??

whoppersandwich

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 11 Dec 2017

Total posts 125

Very unlikely, Qantas get a VERY good deal out of Atlas - and I daresay it will continue throughout most of the next decade.

aggie57

QF

Member since 04 Apr 2014

Total posts 136

Question - would the extra fuel weight in a 400-ER be a direct offset to cargo load? As in, if one of them was converted to a freighter by say Atlas or UPS would they actually be able to take advantage of the extra range?

Last editedby aggie57 at Sep 20, 2018, 08:42 AM.

reno

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 20 Sep 2013

Total posts 317

Qantas ran 747 combis back in the early 90,s.half cabin pax/pressurized cargo and another QF failure.

AJW

Member since 16 Nov 2011

Total posts 55

What makes you say the combis were a failure?

reno

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 20 Sep 2013

Total posts 317

They were 4 engine fuel guzzlers and multi stop Thu at times auckland,Tahiti,fiji,and rarely full for freight.

Madhatter49

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 11 Dec 2016

Total posts 86

Interesting points. Yes, I'm sure they get a good deal with Atlas.

MRYJDrake

Air New Zealand - Airpoints

Member since 31 Oct 2016

Total posts 206

I'm not sure there would be any economic benefit to keeping one, or even two 74s as Cargo machines.


Simply put, they'd need to keep a fully tooled up maintenance team,and spares and parts for just two aircraft. Assuming they'd be kind enough to only break down in Sydney. Presumably (because I have no actual visibility over the Atlas/QF Supply Agreement), Atlas absorbs the maintenance risks and responsibilities, and all QF has to care about is there's a plane at the designated spot to move the cargo.

And that's before factoring in Crews, training, accomodation, all that pesky stuff.

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