HAVING got rid of freighters 15 years ago, air Canada is now having them return in the hope of doubling cargo revenue, reports New York's FreightWaves.
Decades ago Air Canada flew Boeing 727-100, Boeing 747 Combi (passenger and cargo sections on the main deck) and DC-8 cargo jets. All were grounded in the 1990s, the cost didn't justify a separate freighter division.
Soon after joining Air Canada in 2007 as chief financial officer Michael Rousseau oversaw the exit from Air Canada's fleet of three leased MD-11 freighters the company's last all-cargo planes.
But Air Canada reassessed during the Covid crisis, when the passenger trade evaporated and aircraft were repurposed as auxiliary freighters.
This year the airline began fully operating two Boeing 767-300 converted freighters that were retired from Air Canada's passenger fleet and plans to have a dozen all cargo jets within two years.
'Many years ago we had freighters. We got rid of them. I've come full circle,' said Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau during a conversation with a moderator at an aerospace summit here organised by the US Chamber of Commerce.
'We think cargo is a great business for Air Canada. It leverages our brand and our international network,' added Air Canada's top executive.
Air Canada is putting six more 767 planes through the conversion process, including installation of a large cargo door, so they can carry heavy containers on the top deck. They will join the fleet in stages over the next 18 months.
Mr Rousseau said the airline should have four or five 767 freighters by the first quarter of 2023. Air Canada recently announced it acquired two factory-built 767 freighters from Boeing, scheduled to enter service in 2023, and ordered two large 777 freighters for delivery in 2024.
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Decades ago Air Canada flew Boeing 727-100, Boeing 747 Combi (passenger and cargo sections on the main deck) and DC-8 cargo jets. All were grounded in the 1990s, the cost didn't justify a separate freighter division.
Soon after joining Air Canada in 2007 as chief financial officer Michael Rousseau oversaw the exit from Air Canada's fleet of three leased MD-11 freighters the company's last all-cargo planes.
But Air Canada reassessed during the Covid crisis, when the passenger trade evaporated and aircraft were repurposed as auxiliary freighters.
This year the airline began fully operating two Boeing 767-300 converted freighters that were retired from Air Canada's passenger fleet and plans to have a dozen all cargo jets within two years.
'Many years ago we had freighters. We got rid of them. I've come full circle,' said Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau during a conversation with a moderator at an aerospace summit here organised by the US Chamber of Commerce.
'We think cargo is a great business for Air Canada. It leverages our brand and our international network,' added Air Canada's top executive.
Air Canada is putting six more 767 planes through the conversion process, including installation of a large cargo door, so they can carry heavy containers on the top deck. They will join the fleet in stages over the next 18 months.
Mr Rousseau said the airline should have four or five 767 freighters by the first quarter of 2023. Air Canada recently announced it acquired two factory-built 767 freighters from Boeing, scheduled to enter service in 2023, and ordered two large 777 freighters for delivery in 2024.
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