“This is one of the largest-ever investments in our domestic freight fleet that will enable Qantas Freight to capture more of that demand and will provide the opportunity to help freight further grow revenue and earnings.

“The first three [aircraft] have been a fantastic addition to our fleet and operating a single type of narrow-body aircraft in the future will enable us to generate further operational efficiencies and significantly reduce emissions per tonne of freight flown.”

The terms of the order are confidential. Qantas is planning to buy the aircraft on the second-hand market and convert them to freighters. Airbus last listed the A321 passenger model in 2018 at $US118.3 million ($166.1 million). However, list prices are typically discounted by about 50 per cent and this price does not consider the passenger-to-freight conversion.

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