Canadian airline WestJet has announced that it is starting a dedicated cargo arm in order to ‘fulfill the larger-scale needs of Canadian businesses, freight forwarders, shippers and individual customers’.
The airline will use B737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters (BCF), with the 1st of these dedicated cargo aircrafts expected to enter service by the second quarter of 2022.
Charles Duncan, WestJet, Executive Vice-President, Cargo and President, Swoop, said:
Our new dedicated commercial cargo aircraft are a natural evolution of the competitive guest services WestJet has successfully provided over our 25-year history. It will provide cargo customers with the reliable on-time performance and competitive cost advantage synonymous with WestJet.
Throughout 2022, WestJet Cargo will grow its fleet of B737-800BCFs, to work in tandem with the current offering of WestJet’s existing Cargo business. WestJet says that ‘the 737-800 narrow body aircraft is quick to load and fly’ enabling the airline to offer greater fuel efficiency, flexibility and frequency for its customers. WestJet Cargo routes and scheduled services will accommodate the diverse needs of cargo customers using WestJet’s existing network and its B737 pilots.
Duncan added:
WestJet Cargo will enhance economic benefits through competitive product for shippers as well as new employment opportunities. Dedicated, cost efficient and nimble narrow body freighters will make WestJet Cargo a dynamic and strong competitor.
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Cargo customers will benefit from WestJet cargo’s ability to ship on dedicated freighters or in the cargo hold on commercial routes, thus providing ‘reliability, flexibility and capacity to transport their diverse shipments to their chosen destination’.
Ed Sims, President and CEO, WestJet, said:
Since our inception, 25 years ago, our collective goal at WestJet has been to provide competitive prices and superior service levels. As we launch our dedicated cargo service, into a market that maintains an even greater need for competitive choice than what we saw in 1996, it is our commitment to provide customers with more choice, decreased costs and exceptional customer service.
Meanwhile, WestJet recently announced that it will launch flights to Amsterdam and resume flights to London Gatwick. The airline will also expand its services to Hawaii this winter.
Featured image by WestJet
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