Qantas places orders for new aircraft from Airbus and Boeing

• Firm order for 12 Airbus A350 and 12 Boeing 787 aircraft.
• Additional purchase right options for renewal and growth.
• Provides replacement for current A330 and A380 fleets over 10-plus years.
• Deal includes access to up to 500 million litres of sustainable aviation fuel; enhancing pathway to reach the Group’s 2030 emissions targets.

The Qantas Group has revealed the final part of its jet fleet renewal program, with a definitive order for 24 aircraft to gradually replace its existing A330s.

The multibillion-dollar purchase is split between 12 Airbus A350s and 12 Boeing 787s, with deliveries beginning in FY27 and continuing into the next decade. The Group has also acquired further purchase rights, split evenly between both manufacturers, to provide flexibility for future development and eventually replace its 10 A380s with A350s from roughly FY32 onwards.

Qantas and Airbus Partnership for the biofuel industry.(Opens in a new browser tab)

The A330 aircraft of Qantas mostly fly on international routes to Asia and the US as well as a few domestic routes. The 787 and A350 aircraft will be able to operate all of the routes on the airline’s present international network in addition to opening up new ones because of their extended range when they are delivered.

In keeping with the Group’s regular replacement profile, Qantas’ A330 fleet will have an average age of 21 years when the replacement programme begins in FY27. From FY25 onward, aircraft slated to depart the Qantas fleet at the end of the replacement programme will receive a cabin upgrade, including next-generation seats in the Economy class.

QANTAS SIGNS SECOND MAJOR SUSTAINABLE FUEL DEAL(Opens in a new browser tab)

Qantas will have access to up to 500 million litres of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) annually beginning in 2028 as part of the agreement with both Airbus and Boeing. This might help the Group achieve up to 90% of its 2030 intermediate SAF objective. SAF is a crucial component of Qantas’ emissions reduction strategy because it offers a direct replacement for conventional jet kerosene while reducing lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80%.

Based on meeting certain criteria under Airbus and Boeing deals, including partnership with the manufacturers on SAF projects. The agreement includes ~80 million litres of SAF per annum from existing projects. The remaining volume will be sourced through investment in new projects.