Atlas Air, Inc., announced an agreement to extend its long-standing partnership with Australian air freight carrier Qantas Freight.
Under the extended agreement with Qantas Freight, Atlas Air said it will provide long-haul, widebody main deck capacity with two Boeing 747-400Fs operating its existing network linking Australia, Asia and the US.
An additional 747-400F has also been extended to service the one-way U.S.-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 W. Dietrich, Atlas Air Worldwide president and chief executive officer.
"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."
The partnership between the two air cargo airlines began in 2004.
Catriona Larritt, executive manager, of Qantas Freight, noted how "air freight 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 air freight connections between Australia and several of the largest global trading hubs in Asia and the US, supporting long-standing relationships with our key customers," Larritt said.
Meanwhile, the two air carriers noted how both 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," the Atlas Air chief added.
