Qantas Retires Last Boeing 767 Freighter

Qantas is saying goodbye to the Boeing 767 for the second time, this time on a more permanent basis with the retirement of the 767F.

The Australian flag carrier has long utilised the Boeing 767 family to its advantage, with well over a billion kilometres flown across the passenger and freight fleet.

From 1985 through 2014, Qantas used the Boeing 767 for its passenger operations across various markets, and its capabilities proved incredibly reliable.

However, when the airline retired the 767 from passenger services in favour of existing and more efficient aircraft, the 767’s reign wasn’t over.

For almost a decade, Qantas used the 767 Freighter to its advantage for its freight division. Following this, more efficient freighters were progressively introduced.

In May 2024, the Australian flag carrier reached a point similar to its passenger network where the 767 is no longer required. On Saturday, May 18, 2024, the Qantas Group operated its final flight with the Boeing 767 family of aircraft and has thus removed the 767F from the Freight fleet.

For a considerable period, the Boeing 767F has been seen on the Trans Tasman route, where a host of types of cargo are transported between the two countries.

VH-EFR is the last 767F to be retired under the Qantas name. It was first delivered in 2006 and flew for All Nippon Airways under its cargo division.

The aircraft then arrived with Qantas Freight, operated by Express Freighters in 2011, and it has since served the Australian group.

A Planned Retirement

The retirement of the Boeing 767 Freighter with Qantas has been planned for some time. The airline announced plans to transition towards an all-Airbus freighter fleet some time ago.

Ultimately, the transition has been made possible thanks to the addition of Airbus A321 freighters and the important conversion of Airbus A330s into dedicated freighters.

Qantas has already said that the Airbus A330-200P2F jets it has taken delivery of recently will be hugely important for the international network.

The conversion and the capabilities of holding up to 23 containers on the main deck, including XXL pallets of over 11 tonnes, will benefit longer-ranged routes.

The addition of the Airbus A321P2F is benefiting the domestic fleet. Australia Post operates some of these jets, and conversions are also being made.

Qantas Freight’s fleet now consists of 5 Airbus A321P2Fs, 2 Airbus A330P2Fs, 2 737Fs over 30 years old, and 3 BAe jets over 30 years old.

The group wants to complete the transition soon and achieve greater efficiency and fleet harmony.