Qantas and Australia Post are supporting the growing demand for parcels with an agreement to expand domestic and international air freight.

It's a seven-year agreement valued at over AU$1 Billion.  Australia Post customers will get access to Qantas Freight's dedicated freighter aircraft and priority access to the cargo space on up to 1,500 Qantas and Jetstar passenger flights to over 110 destinations each day.  Space on partner airlines globally is also part of the deal.

"This agreement will further boost our unrivalled, dedicated air freighter network with newer aircraft and more capacity right up until the opening of the new Western Sydney airport in 2026," said Christine Holgate, Australia Post's CEO and Managing Director.  "The enhanced air freighter network complements $900 million in investment across our network through automation and infrastructure, and provides the speed, flexibility and reliability customers expect.

"It means that we can build flexibility into the air freight network to manage increased volumes and demand in the lead-up to Christmas," Ms. Holgate continued, "Last year we flew more than 400 tonnes of mail on our busiest night, and more than 40 million parcels during December; this year, we expect to exceed both those targets."

Australia Post and Qantas have been partners for almost a century, dating back to the first airmail flights for the postal service in 1922.  

"This builds on the longstanding partnership between Australia's national carrier and the nation's postal service to deliver for customers," said Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce, as quoted by Ferret's Logistics and Materials Handling Magazine.  "Consumer preferences and expectations are rapidly changing and together with Australia Post we're responding by growing our dedicated freighter fleet to provide a better experience for consumers and businesses."