WestJet adds its first freighter

WestJet Cargo has entered the freighter market with the arrival of the first of four B737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters (BCF).

The aircraft, which is on lease from BBAM Limited Partnership (BBAM), will be used for express and e-commerce freight and is the first B737-800BCF to be operated by a Canada-based airline.

WestJet announced its plans to operate freighters in June last year as it looked to “fulfill the larger-scale needs of Canadian businesses, freight forwarders, shippers and individual customers”.

“The delivery of our first freighter to our home base in Calgary, Alberta gives us great confidence in the growth and development of our commercial cargo service and I am eager to see our new dedicated commercial cargo service take flight as we begin providing competitive services to cargo customers across Canada,” said Alexis von Hoensbroech, WestJet chief executive.

Prior to its delivery to WestJet Cargo in Calgary, the aircraft (msn 34686) completed conversion by Boeing at an approved MRO facility in Guangzhou, China. WestJet Cargo plans to have all four BCFs in service by the end of 2022.

In February, the airline announced a partnership with the GTA group which will provide cargo handling services and together, with WestJet Cargo, will sell and manage freighter capacity.

The company announced the appointment of Kirsten de Bruijn as executive vice president, cargo, while Jeff Harris will take on the permanent role of vice-president, WestJet Cargo.