Qantas Inks Deals for New Aircraft, SAF

Qantas has signed deals with Boeing and Airbus for new aircraft and for sustainable aviation fuel, the airline announced Thursday.

The multibillion-dollar order includes 12 Airbus A350s and 12 Boeing 787s with deliveries to begin during the 2027 fiscal year. The carrier also has additional purchase right options between the two manufacturers to allow for growth and to eventually replace its 10 Airbus A380s with A350s from fiscal year 2032, according to Qantas.

As part of its deals with Boeing and Airbus, Qantas has agreed to purchase up to 500 million liters of SAF "per annum" that would begin to be delivered in 2028. The carrier will have access to these supplies by partnering with each manufacturer on SAF projects, including in the United States, where it anticipates the ability to purchase the fuel as "favorable rates due to supportive government policies in the U.S."

Qantas in May announced an A$400 million (about US$260 million) climate fund for investments in similar local projects to help spur the SAF industry in Australia.

The company on Thursday also announced that it had posted its first full-year profit since fiscal year 2019.