Qantas has announced it will convert two of its Airbus A330 passenger aircraft into freighters to meet the increase in e-commerce demand.

One of the freighters will be used in Qantas Freight’s international network. The other will join the dedicated fleet that serves Australia Post’s domestic parcel and mail operations.

The airline will receive a third Airbus A321P2F freighter this week – which will also operate for Australia Post – and will take delivery of three new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners during 2022.

Quantas’ CEO Alan Joyce said: “Our freight business has boomed during the pandemic and while some of that is temporary, Covid has accelerated the permanent expansion of eCommerce and online shopping in this country.

“That’s why we’re working with key partners like Australia Post to respond to this structural change and increase the amount of parcels that we can carry by air to ensure they arrive to people’s homes as quickly as possible.

“The converted A330 aircraft for Australia Post will be able to carry around 50 tonnes of cargo each flight, more than double the capacity of other freighters operating for the national post service.”

The first A330 aircraft, which will be utilised by Australia Post, will start its conversion in August 2022 and is expected to start operating in mid-2023 with the second to start operating in late 2023.