Australian air Express Launches First Converted Freighter

Avalon, 20 November 2006: Australian air Express (AaE) yesterday officially launched the first of its converted Boeing 737-300 freighter aircraft at Avalon in Victoria.

The aircraft is the first of four former Qantas passenger jets that are being converted to dedicated freighters. It began operating on 3 October between Melbourne, Launceston and Hobart.

Attending the launch were Qantas Chief Executive Officer Geoff Dixon, Australia Post Managing Director and AaE Chairman Graeme John, and AaE acting Chief Executive Officer Wayne Dunne.

AaE Chairman Graeme John said: “The launch of this first newly converted freighter aircraft is a significant milestone for AaE as we continue to expand our business, our customer reach and our service delivery.”

“In addition to the four aircraft under this conversion program, AaE recently announced a tender for the provision of a further three aircraft which will lift our B737 freighter capacity to seven.”

The addition of the four B737-300s will boost AaE’s dedicated freighter fleet to nine aircraft. The new freighters will replace three B727 freighters as they enter service. The B737-300s are being converted by Qantas Engineering at its Avalon facility in association with the Bedek Aviation group, a subsidiary of Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. The project represents the first time freighter conversion work has been undertaken in Australia.

As they become available, AaE is leasing the aircraft from the Qantas Group’s new domestic air freight subsidiary Express Freighters Australia under a 12-year contract. AaE was formed in 1992 and is jointly owned by Qantas and Australia Post.

The company has grown to become the leading Australian domestic air freight provider to the express freight market, offering a comprehensive range of nation-wide scheduled and charter air freight services.

Issued by Australian air Express

Media inquiries: Shaun Patterson Tel: 03 8633 3130