Qantas Freight is set to bolster its international cargo network with the launch of new direct freighter services between Sydney and Shanghai, commencing 26 June 2025.
The twice-weekly flights—operating on Thursdays and Sundays—will mark the first time Qantas’ distinctive ‘Red Tail’ Airbus A330 freighters regularly connect the two key cargo hubs. The move is expected to significantly enhance freight capacity for Australian exporters looking to access China’s busiest cargo port.
The airline said the schedule has been carefully timed to enable efficient connections from other Australian ports, offering producers across the country greater access to international markets.
“This new direct service increases opportunities for Australian producers to move goods into one of the world’s most critical cargo markets,” a Qantas Freight spokesperson said.
Expanding International Cargo Footprint
The Sydney–Shanghai launch is the latest addition to Qantas Freight’s growing international network.
The airline currently operates A330 freighter flights from Sydney and Perth to Hong Kong, as well as A321 freighter services connecting Melbourne and Sydney with Auckland and Christchurch in New Zealand.
Qantas Freight also operates two global cargo loops using Boeing 747 freighters. The first route starts in Sydney and stops in Chongqing, Shanghai, Anchorage, Chicago, Los Angeles, Honolulu and Auckland. The second loop includes stops in Bangkok, Shanghai, Anchorage, New York JFK, Chicago, Los Angeles and Honolulu.
The expansion underscores Qantas Freight’s commitment to supporting Australian exporters by improving access to major trade markets and enhancing supply chain connectivity across the Asia-Pacific and beyond.
