TEXT-Qantas buys Jet Transport Express

(Following is the text of a statement from Australia's Qantas Airways Ltd (QAN.AX: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz))

SYDNEY, April 29 (Reuters) - Qantas Freight Enterprises announced today that it had signed an agreement to purchase national trucking business Jets Transport Express (Jets), which specialises in interstate air freight movements.

Executive General Manager, Qantas Freight Enterprises Grant Fenn said the acquisition of Jets, which would be completed by the end of May, would increase the breadth of Qantas' air freight capability and improve the service for its air freight and cargo handling customers.

"Jets provides bonded interstate trucking for domestic legs of international air freight using trailers that are specially designed to handle air freight pallets," Mr Fenn said.

"The acquisition of Jets will allow us for the first time to offer a truly seamless transfer between international and domestic operations.

"We will introduce track and trace capability and have the Jets fleet added to the airline reservation system to improve the booking process for customer airlines and freight forwarders.

"A vastly improved trucking to airside interface will also enhance the efficiency of terminal operations and allow Qantas Freight Enterprises better control of its Australian domestic distribution.

"We see great potential to expand and grow the Jets business," he said.

Jets operates between all major capital cities from hubs in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide.