BREAKING: Qantas, Australia’s largest airline, has just announced a major expansion plan, ordering an additional 20 Airbus A321XLR jets as its profits soar to $1.6 billion for the financial year ending June 30, 2023. This marks a remarkable 28.3% increase from the previous year.
Qantas reported a substantial 15% rise in underlying pre-tax profit, reaching $2.4 billion, driven by booming international travel and robust demand for domestic flights. The airline’s revenue climbed 8.6% to $23.8 billion, reflecting strong recovery trends in both business and leisure sectors.
The newly ordered Airbus jets, expected to arrive starting in 2028, will enhance Qantas’ capacity to serve longer routes across Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands. With a range of 8,700 km, these jets offer approximately 3,000 km more than the Boeing 737s they will replace, opening up new, previously unreachable destinations.
The first two A321XLR aircraft are slated for service by mid-September, operating on key routes linking Sydney with Melbourne and Perth. CEO Vanessa Hudson emphasized the importance of this investment, stating,
“Investing in new aircraft is one of the most significant ways that we can provide our customers with a better flying experience and these billion-dollar investments are possible because of our continued strong financial performance.”
Additionally, Qantas has declared a final dividend of 16.5 cents per share, alongside a special dividend of 9.9 cents per share, rewarding shareholders as the company’s performance continues to strengthen.
As Qantas gears up for this exciting expansion, industry experts suggest to watch for how these new aircraft will reshape travel options and impact the competitive landscape in the aviation market. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
