A new Jedi knight

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Friday, 03 September 2010

A B752 freighter with 15 tonnes uplift capacity has ensured the trans-Tasman DHL Express cargo work undertaken for years by the yellow B722F – known fondly as The Jedi  and operated by Tasman Cargo Airlines - builds on solid foundations.

The B722 fell foul of Australia’s new environmental regulations aimed at minimising urban noise and other pollution.  It was the last Australian-registered B727 freighter operating in the region.

DHL/TAS are up against the scheduled Qantas freighter on the Tasman run, along with other services, but have the key selling point of being the first freighter into Sydney from Auckland each day.  This is of significant advantage to many kiwi exporters, giving useful connections to other Australian metro ports and to Asian stations.

Environmental regulations caused the equipment changeover, but the freight partners are now able to use environmental marketing strengths: The 752F is 25 per cent more fuel-efficient, a lot quieter than its predecessor and emits less greenhouse gases.  Capacity has increased and an extra rotation is being flown. -Kelvin King
Look for more details in our September print edition.