Qantas and Australia Post extend century-long partnership as freight operations begin at Western Sydney International

Qantas and Australia Post have extended their historic air freight partnership by another ten years, reinforcing a collaboration that began with Qantas’ first commercial flight in 1922. The renewed agreement is designed to meet the growing demand for next-day e-commerce deliveries across Australia and internationally.

The announcement coincides with the launch of Qantas Freight’s first commercial cargo flight from the newly opened Western Sydney International (Nancy Bird Walton) Airport (WSI), marking the start of operations at the airport’s 24/7 cargo terminal. The inaugural service carried Australia Post parcels from Sydney to Brisbane, officially opening the 24,000-square-metre freight facility.

The new cargo hub is expected to handle more than 160,000 parcels within its first 24 hours, with overnight services linking Western Sydney to Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Cairns and the Gold Coast, as well as regional destinations. The terminal is initially expected to process over 850 tonnes of freight each week, while international cargo services are scheduled to begin in early 2027.

Under the renewed agreement, Qantas Freight will transport more than 75 million tonnes of parcels and cargo annually, with volumes expected to increase as online shopping continues to grow. The airline will support the operation with a dedicated fleet of two Airbus A330 freighters and six Airbus A321 freighters, with three additional A321 freighters on order, alongside cargo capacity aboard more than 300 passenger aircraft serving over 110 destinations.

Qantas said the investment reflects its broader fleet modernisation programme and commitment to improving freight efficiency. At the same time, Australia Post highlighted the agreement as key to strengthening the resilience and flexibility of its nationwide delivery network.

Western Sydney International Airport described the new cargo precinct as a major boost for New South Wales’ logistics sector. Operating around the clock, the facility will initially be capable of handling approximately 250,000 tonnes of freight per year, significantly expanding Sydney’s air cargo capacity and supporting businesses across the region.

The launch of freight services also represents another milestone in the development of Western Sydney International Airport, ahead of Jetstar’s first passenger flights in October and the commencement of Qantas passenger services early next year.