Air Canada names Berry as VP cargo

Air Canada has named Jason Berry as its new vice president of cargo, effective from January next year.

In his new role, Berry — who was previously president at Alaska Airlines’ subsidiary McGee Air Services — will report to Lucie Guillemette, executive vice president and chief commercial officer.

Before his role at McGee Air Services, Berry led Alaska Airlines’ cargo business from 2012 until June 2019. Prior to joining Alaska Airlines, he held operational positions at other air cargo handlers and operators.

Commenting on Berry’s appoitnment, Guillemette said: “Berry’s entrepreneurial approach combined with his solid air cargo background is well-suited to operationalise these commercial opportunities, and lead the strategic direction of our cargo business to optimise the growth of e-commerce while leveraging Air Canada’s fleet and global reach.”

Air Canada also gave an update on its cargo business: to date, the carrier has operated more than 3,500 cargo-only flights and it is now finalising plans to convert several of its Boeing 767-300ER aircraft into freighters “to fully participate in global cargo commercial opportunities”.

The carrier has also concluded the collective agreement amendment with its pilots who are represented by the Air Canada Pilots Association (ACPA), “for contractual changes to enable Air Canada to competitively operate dedicated cargo aircraft in the cargo marketplace, which have now been ratified by the Air Canada pilots”.

Guillemette added: “Air Canada and Air Canada Cargo have pivoted quickly to new and unique commercial opportunities in response to evolving market conditions over the past 11 months, and Air Canada was the first airline globally to transform aircraft and double freight capacity by removing seats to enable cargo transport in the passenger cabin.

“We now operate up to 100 international, all-cargo flights weekly, and with ACPA’s recent ratification on cargo operating arrangements, we are planning the conversion of several owned Boeing 767-300ERs recently retired from passenger service to all-freighter aircraft, which will position Air Canada to continue growing its cargo business across the global supply chain.”