Qantas has announced a new investment in its DeHavilland Dash 8 turboprop fleet as part of its ongoing commitment to keeping regional Australia connected. The national carrier will acquire 14 additional mid-life Dash 8-400 aircraft (Q400), while gradually phasing out 19 smaller Q200 and Q300 turboprop aircraft. The first new aircraft will join the QantasLink fleet by the end of 2024.
The Q400 aircraft are over 30% faster than the Q200 and Q300 models, saving customers time on regional routes. This younger fleet will also help improve operational reliability. This investment will bring the number of Q400 aircraft in the fleet to 45. Consolidating three sub-fleets into a single turboprop fleet will provide scale benefits and efficiencies for QantasLink, including lower maintenance and operating costs. Despite these changes, QantasLink’s overall turboprop capacity will remain unchanged.
Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson stated that the turboprop renewal programme is part of the airline’s commitment to serving regional Australia. “As the national carrier, we are proud of the role we have played for more than 100 years in keeping regional communities connected, and this investment ensures there will be ongoing reliable air services across many parts of regional Australia,” said Hudson.
This investment coincides with the Qantas Group’s broader jet fleet renewal programme, with QantasLink’s third Airbus A220 aircraft set to be delivered in the coming weeks. The net investment in the fleet will be predominantly spread across FY25 and FY26, with the majority in FY25. The FY25 investment will be managed within the existing net capex guidance of AU$3.7 billion to AU$3.9 billion.
