US cargo airline and lessor Atlas Air will extend its long-standing partnership with Australian airfreight carrier Qantas Freight to support Australia, Asia and US supply chains.

The partnership between Atlas Air and Qantas Freight began in 2004. Under this extended agreement with Qantas Freight, Atlas Air will provide long-haul, widebody maindeck capacity with two Boeing 747-400Fs operating its existing network linking Australia, Asia and the US.

An additional 747-400F deal has also been extended to service the one-way US-Australia-Hong Kong routing, boosting capacity to meet customer demand.

“We are pleased to extend our long-standing partnership with Qantas Freight and support its customers and network,” said John Dietrich, Atlas Air Worldwide president and chief executive.

“This important extension with Qantas Freight comes at a time of significant growth in the air freight industry. We look forward to supporting Qantas Freight as it continues to expand its global freighter network.”

Catriona Larritt, executive manager, Qantas Freight, added: “Airfreight remains in high demand for efficient deliveries for urgent, time-sensitive movements.

“Continuing our relationship with Atlas Air will ensure we can maintain these important airfreight connections between Australia and several of the largest global trading hubs in Asia and the US, supporting long-standing relationships with our key customers.”

Both Atlas Air and Qantas are committed to meeting the industry-wide 2050 sustainability targets set forth by the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).

“In addition to abiding by CORSIA, we have set goals to lower our aircraft emissions and improve our fuel efficiency as part of our commitment to promote a cleaner environment,” Dietrich said. “Atlas is proud to work with Qantas Freight in the Qantas Future Planet initiative that will enable us to offset a majority of the emissions from the flights we operate on behalf of the airline.”

Atlas Air Worldwide, Atlas Air’s parent company, recently entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by an investor group group led by investment firm Apollo Global Management. The deal has an enterprise value of approximately $5.2bn.

source : aircargo news