A look at the 737-400 fleet Qantas is retiring and selling

All 21 CFM56-3C-1-powered aircraft in the Qantas Group's Boeing 737-400 fleet, which it is reportedly looking to retire and sell this year, range from 14 to 21 years old, according to Flightglobal's ACAS database. The aircraft have each accumulated between approximately 44,000 and 63,000 flight hours across 29,000 to 40,000 cycles, ACAS shows.

Of the 21 frames, 3 are operated by New Zealand subsidiary Jetconnect. The 737-400's retirement will leave Jetconnect with a fleet of 6 737-800 aircraft only.

The remaining 18 frames are operated by Qantas with one frame--the youngest--in storage. Four of the 18 frames are owned by Qantas subsidiary AAL Aviation Ltd while the rest are owned by Qantas.

In February Qantas said it would lease five additional 737-800 aircraft and extend the leases of two further aircraft. Qantas announced it expected to take delivery of six 737-800 aircraft for the remainder of the financial year with a further 15 737-800 next financial year.

Mainline Qantas currently operates 38 737-800 aircraft with 25 on order and 11 options, according to ACAS.

(On the topic of the 737-400's retirement, it would be amiss of me to fail to mention this statement a Qantas spokesman told the AFP: "This has been part of our fleet strategy all along. It's not like we are having a garage sale." In related news, one of Qantas's main media liaisons is on holiday.)