WestJet

WestJet transitions out of freighter operations, cargo VP resigns

The end of the road is near for freighter operations at WestJet. Cargo boss Kirsten de Bruijn has tendered her resignation, and the Canadian airline plans to wind down remaining freighter operations once it determines how to dispose of the four leased aircraft.

WestJet’s flirtation with operating a dedicated all-cargo airline alongside its main passenger business was short-lived, reflecting an overzealous reading of opportunities in the challenging Canadian market after airfreight demand...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/westjet-transitions-out-of-freighter-operations-cargo-vp-resigns

WestJet adopts new business model for freighter aircraft

Canadian airline WestJet has pivoted to offering other airlines and logistics companies the option of chartering its small fleet of Boeing 737-800 cargo jets to move goods after recently discontinuing scheduled cargo service because of weak demand.

WestJet Cargo on Tuesday issued a news release promoting its charter service in North America and Latin America utilizing Boeing 737-800 converted freighters. The cargo division said it introduced charter service in the fourth quarter of 2023, but...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/westjet-adopts-new-business-model-for-freighter-aircraft

WestJet shuts down fledgling freighter network

WestJet has abandoned its scheduled freighter operation and put two of four Boeing 737-800 aircraft in storage one year after launching the business venture, according to the executive in charge of the airline’s cargo operations.

The development is a tacit acknowledgement by WestJet that it can’t compete in the challenging Canadian cargo market. Air Canada last week disclosed it has parked two new factory-built 767-300 freighter aircraft because of insufficient demand.

Two 737-800 converted...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/westjet-shuts-down-fledgling-freighter-network

Cargojet freighter aircraft knocked out of service by massive hail

Two Cargojet freighter aircraft suffered extensive damage during a hailstorm last week at Calgary International Airport in Canada, executives said during a call with analysts Wednesday to discuss second-quarter earnings.

The Aug. 5 storm that pounded the airport in Alberta with golf ball-size ice pellets also crippled 16 aircraft operated by WestJet, Canada’s second-largest passenger airline.

Cargojet (TSX: CJT) moved the two planes to its base in Hamilton, Ontario, for repairs, according to the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/cargojet-freighter-aircraft-knocked-out-of-service-by-massive-hail

WestJet adds new cargo route to Havana

The fledgling freighter division of Canadian airline WestJet has started flying to Havana while the more established Lufthansa Cargo has announced expansion of its new regional network in the Nordic region. Both are deploying narrowbody cargo jets.

WestJet Cargo, which launched commercial all-cargo service in April and now has four Boeing 737-800 converted freighters serving major Canadian cities as well as Miami and Los Angeles, said Wednesday it commenced weekly service from Toronto to the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/westjet-adds-new-cargo-route-to-havana

WestJet averts pilots strike, agrees to new contract

WestJet, the second-largest passenger airline in Canada that recently added freighter service in North America, and the union representing 1,850 pilots reached a last-minute agreement in principle Thursday night on a new labor contract, avoiding a strike that would have shut down business.

The tentative agreement between management and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) must still be presented to union membership for a ratification vote. The pilots were ready to walk off the job Friday...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/westjet-averts-pilots-strike-agrees-to-new-contract

WestJet initiates controlled shutdown as pilot strike looms

Canadian airline WestJet has begun grounding aircraft to minimize operational disruption and side effects ahead of Friday’s planned strike by pilots.

WestJet Group is carrying out a lockout so it can take down its network in an orderly way. Canceling flights gradually will avoid stranding aircraft in remote locations without support and allow communication with customers to change their plans before their scheduled flights.

The labor action will negatively impact cargo customers, including...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/westjet-initiates-controlled-shutdown-as-pilot-strike-looms

WestJet pilot lockout would halt new all-cargo operation 

googletag.cmd.push(function() { var gptSlot = googletag.defineSlot(‘/21776187881/FW-Responsive-Main_Content-Slot1’, [[728, 90], [468, 60], [300, 100], [320, 50]], ‘div-gpt-ad-b1-i-fw-ad-1’).defineSizeMapping(gptSizeMaps.banner1).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads());
gptAdSlots.push(gptSlot);
});

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-b1-i-fw-ad-1’); });

The startup cargo airline within the Canadian passenger carrier WestJet could be forced to suspend...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/westjet-pilot-lockout-would-halt-new-all-cargo-operation

Bad luck hampers start of WestJet freighter operations

googletag.cmd.push(function() { var gptSlot = googletag.defineSlot(‘/21776187881/FW-Responsive-Main_Content-Slot1’, [[728, 90], [468, 60], [300, 100], [320, 50]], ‘div-gpt-ad-b1-i-fw-ad-1’).defineSizeMapping(gptSizeMaps.banner1).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads());
gptAdSlots.push(gptSlot);
});

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-b1-i-fw-ad-1’); });

Canadian passenger airline WestJet is finally on the precipice of activating its first cargo jets...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/bad-luck-hampers-start-of-westjet-freighter-operations

Boeing certification troubles in Canada ground 1st WestJet freighters

googletag.cmd.push(function() { var gptSlot = googletag.defineSlot(‘/21776187881/FW-Responsive-Main_Content-Slot1’, [[728, 90], [468, 60], [300, 100], [320, 50]], ‘div-gpt-ad-b1-i-fw-ad-5’).defineSizeMapping(gptSizeMaps.banner1).setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads());
gptAdSlots.push(gptSlot);
});

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-b1-i-fw-ad-5’); });

MIAMI — A delay in getting four 737-800 aircraft, newly converted to freighters by Boeing, certified...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/boeing-certification-troubles-in-canada-ground-1st-westjet-freighters

+ More