Canadian airline allocates new Boeing freighters to better serve Canada
Canada's second largest national air carrier, WestJet, has announced the launch of a dedicated cargo service.
The Boeing 737-800 Converted Freighter (BCF) will carry large cargo to meet the increased needs of Canadian businesses. WestJet Cargo will also begin serving freight forwarders, shippers and individual customers. The first dedicated Boeing freighter is expected to depart in the second quarter of 2022.
WestJet has been successfully providing commercial guest services for 25 years, providing all customers with reliable and timely service, as well as quite competitive market value for its services.
Company officials describe the Boeing freighter, based on the Boeing 737-800 passenger jet, as an airliner that loads quickly, flies well and consumes fuel economically. These specialized, fuel-efficient and maneuverable narrow-body freighters will make WestJet Cargo an even more dynamic and powerful competitor.
The excellent performance of the Boeing 737-800 BCF will enable WestJet Cargo to offer its customers more flexible and frequent departure schedules. In the very near future, WestJet Cargo's scheduled flights on a variety of routes will be able to meet all the needs of customers requiring cargo transportation. The new cargo aircraft will be operated by pilots with the highest qualifications.
Over the course of 2022, WestJet Cargo plans to gradually increase its fleet of Boeing 737-800 BCF freighters to work in tandem with WestJet's existing cargo business.
"Since our founding, 25 years ago, our overall goal at WestJet has been to provide competitive pricing and the highest level of service. As we launch our dedicated freight service into a market that supports an even greater need for competitive choice, we are committed to providing customers with greater choice, lower costs and exceptional service," said Ed Sims, president and CEO of WestJet.
WestJet in a nutshell.
In 25 years of operation, Canadian airline WestJet has halved the cost of airfare and increased Canadian passenger traffic by 50%. The company started in 1996 with 3 aircraft, 250 employees and 5 destinations. Before the coronavirus pandemic began in March 2020, its fleet already included 180 aircraft, 14,000 employees and more than 100 destinations in 23 countries.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, WestJet employees have developed a multi-layered safety structure so that Canadians can continue to travel safely as part of the "Safety First" hygiene program. During this time, WestJet has maintained its status as one of the top 10 airlines in North America (according to Cirium).
