National Jet Express retires BAe 146 fleet, ends Qantas Freight operation
National Jet Express is retiring its four BAe 146 cargo jets, concluding a 32-year wet-lease operation for Qantas Freight.
National Jet Express will retire its fleet of four BAe 146-300QT aircraft, ending 32 years of overnight cargo operations for Qantas Freight. The final commercial flight is scheduled for 2 October 2026, operating between the new Western Sydney International Airport and Coolangatta on the Gold Coast.
This retirement marks the conclusion of a long-standing wet-lease contract. It coincides with a major shift in Australia's air freight network as Qantas Freight moves its primary Sydney cargo hub from Sydney Airport to the new Western Sydney International Airport (WSI). WSI commenced its cargo operations on 27 July 2026.
Transition aligns with Qantas Freight’s move to Western Sydney International Airport
The fleet's retirement is timed with the end of the wet-lease agreement and the strategic transfer of Qantas Freight's Sydney operations. A National Jet Express spokesperson linked the two events directly, stating, "el contrato con Qantas Freight llega a su fin con la apertura de Western Sydney Airport." The move centralizes Qantas Freight's future cargo activities at the new western hub.
Aircraft details and service history highlight long-standing role in Australian freight
The four aircraft being retired are between 35 and 37 years old, with three wearing the distinctive StarTrack Express livery. These BAe 146 Quiet Trader variants were specifically chosen for their ability to operate during the night curfew at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, thanks to their low-noise Lycoming ALF 502 engines.
For decades, they formed the backbone of overnight freight services on key domestic routes. Their primary network connected Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast. The aircraft's design was tailored for quick cargo handling.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Maximum Payload | Approximately 12,600 kg |
| Typical Payload | Around 10,500 kg |
| Main Deck Capacity | 7.5 ABB containers |
| Belly Capacity | Loose cargo |
| Total Volume | Approximately 93 m³ |
National Jet Express shifts focus to FIFO operations with growing turboprop and jet fleet
With the BAe 146 chapter closing, National Jet Express will concentrate fully on its fly-in fly-out (FIFO) charter business for the mining and resources sector. The company operates a modern and expanding fleet for this purpose from its bases in Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane, supported by a heavy maintenance centre in Adelaide.
The airline now runs nine Embraer E190-100 jets and thirteen DHC-8-Q400 turboprops on these resource sector routes. The most recent E190 arrived earlier this month, and the latest Q400 was delivered in June. These aircraft, along with the company's more than 600 employees, represent NJE's future. The four retiring BAe 146s predate both of these current fleets. Reflecting on the partnership, a spokesperson noted, "la larga relación con el equipo de Qantas Freight ha sido una parte importante del recorrido de NJE."
National Jet Express will operate its last revenue BAe 146 flight on 2 October 2026.
