Qantas Freight incorporates new acquisition

   Qantas Freight and Australian air Express have officially become one, adding more destinations and service levels for cargo customers.
   While the merged carrier has already set up a central point to manage all freight capacity on domestic and international flights, officials are still working on intermingling services on a single air waybill and creating a single sales function.
   Employees of Australian air Express are due to move to Qantas buildings by March or April. The rebranding of terminals and planes will begin in February. Newly comingled information technology and back-office functions are to come online in the next few months.
   “We have a well-defined implementation plan and a considerable amount of work to do,” wrote Lisa Brock, executive manager of freight, in a letter to customers. “Over the coming months, we will be seeking input on our current product suite and service levels.”
   Brock also has submitted a new executive management structure for Qantas Freight, with eight division heads reporting directly to her.
   On Oct. 2, Qantas acquired Australian air Express after selling its 50-percent stake in StarTrack Australia Post. Qantas and Australia Post had split the two carriers 50/50 since 2003, and now both parties are outright owners of one of the carriers.
   At the time, Qantas officials put their net proceeds from the transactions at $408 million and had estimated a profit of $30 million. In a statement in October, Qantas officials said the deal will result in a stronger freight presence, bolstering a key goal while divesting a non-core asset. – Jon Ross