WestJet’s cargo business celebrated a highly successful 2024, marked by growth across multiple fronts. The airline saw a surge in belly cargo demand, expanded its network with new routes and partnerships and embraced digital innovation to enhance the customer experience.
“WestJet’s belly cargo business has emerged as a key driver of success for WestJet Cargo, with a 60 per cent year-over-year increase in revenue,” said Kirsten de Bruijn, WestJet Executive Vice President, Cargo. “We’ve seen strong performance on key routes like Narita-Calgary Incheon-Calgary.”
While the airline recently confirmed it would eventually phase out its four dedicated freighters, it is committed to expanding belly cargo opportunities in markets where WestJet operates passenger service, as well as offering cargo on new routes.
“As WestJet welcomes more aircraft to its passenger fleet, WestJet Cargo will grow alongside,” said Julius Mooney, WestJet Director of Commercial Cargo. “Supported by a strong logistics and operations team, WestJet Cargo is poised to continue its successful growth in the competitive belly cargo sector.”
Building global connections with Virgin Atlantic
Last month, WestJet proudly announced a Block Space Agreement (BSA) with Virgin Atlantic from Toronto (YYZ) to London (LHR). The deal boosts cargo capacity between the East Coast of Canada to London and beyond on Virgin Atlantic’s network, strengthening trade links between Canada and key destinations across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
Digital innovation enhances service
WestJet Cargo has rolled out a revamped website and digital platforms, streamlining the booking and tracking processes for guests. Integrated with digital freight platforms cargo.one and cargoAI, the organization has improved accessibility and operational efficiency radically over the last year. Through this, WestJet Cargo has also been able to add new product offerings such as Campus’Air service for university and research cargo.
With the successful growth of the belly cargo business on track and the strategic decision to exit the cargo freighter business, Kirsten de Bruijn, a seasoned cargo and aviation leader, announced her decision to leave WestJet.
“Building out this important growth opportunity for WestJet was very rewarding,” continued de Bruijn. “Unfortunately, the freighter business came with timing delays and additional complexity that no longer made it the right commitment for WestJet.”
About WestJet Cargo:
A dedicated division of the WestJet Group of Companies, WestJet Cargo provides air cargo services to businesses, freight forwarders, shippers and individual customers. Providing safe, reliable air-shipping for customers and businesses, WestJet Cargo utilizes the expansive network of WestJet’s wide and narrow-bodied aircraft and its newly introduced fleet of four dedicated Boeing 737-800 Converted Freighters (BCF) to meet the diverse needs of its cargo customers.
