Atlas Air has commenced operating Boeing 747-8F cargo flights on behalf of Qantas Freight.
The first service, flown by 747-8F N856GT, landed in Sydney as QF7554 at about 1130 on Tuesday, after its 10-hour journey from Honolulu.
After four and a half hours on the ground, the 747-8F took off as QF7521 bound for Chongqing in China.
The aircraft features Atlas Air livery with the words “Operated by Atlas Air Inc on behalf of Qantas Airways Ltd” on the fuselage alongside the Qantas Freight logo.
There is also a Qantas Freight logo on the nose.
It was a change of Aircraft Type for @Qantas @SydneyAirport this morning, with the 1st of 2 Atlas B747-8F Freighters making a 1st visit to SYD as QF7554. The two B747-8F freighters are operated by Atlas on behalf of Qantas, replacing the two existing B747-400F Freighters✈️?? pic.twitter.com/zThQSfLwxf
— 16Right Media (@www16Right) August 27, 2019
In April, Qantas announced it would replace two 747-400F freighters flown by Atlas Air on its behalf with the larger 747-8F.
The aircraft, which have Atlas Air livery, operate between Australia, China and the United States. Qantas said more routes for the 747-8F were being explored.
Atlas Air supplies the aircraft and crew, as well as looks after the maintenance and insurance, under a wet-lease arrangement. Qantas sells cargo space, with the flights operated under the airline’s QF code.
The change represented a 20 per cent increase in freight capacity and space for seven extra cargo pallets.
“More capacity and better reliability means we can continue to deliver for our customers in Australia and around the globe,” Qantas Freight executive manager Paul Jones said in a statement.
“These aircraft have a far better environmental footprint, producing less carbon emissions and offering greater efficiency, something that we know is really important to our customers.”
VIDEO: A look at another Atlas Air Boeing 747-8F, this time N855GT, landing at Los Angeles Airport in this May 2019 video from the SpeedbirdHD YouTube channel.
