CALGARY, Canada-headquartered westjet Cargo has officially launched operations, flying one of its dedicated 737-800 freighters for the first time, according to UK's Simple Flying.
The inauguration comes nearly a month after the airline received approval and aircraft certification from the government of Canada.
After a delay of nearly a year, the airline celebrated the first flight last Thursday. As more aircraft will be seamlessly integrated into its fleet, the planes are set to be utilized on routes within North America, between Calgary, Halifax, Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles, and Miami.
Although WestJet Cargo hopes to add the aircraft as soon as possible, the carrier is being cautious. According to WestJet's executive vice president of cargo Kristen de Bruijn, the airline plans to begin its cargo operation in phases.
'In order to be a reliable airline we have to be a little bit careful with the startup. So the approach we took is to make sure we gradually start the operation so we always have a spare plane on the ground. It's not the most cost-effective way and could leave opportunities around. But it's required because we need to start, we need to do it well and we need to do it on time.'
The carrier will reportedly welcome its second 737-800BCF next week, with plans to add the third three weeks after. A fourth freighter will join the fleet this summer once its conversion at a facility in Costa Rica is completed.
WestJet Cargo's joint venture with the GTA Group will allow the airline to quickly implement the 737s into service.
With the first flight complete, the airline is already planning other destinations to serve as it receives more aircraft. In addition to routes within North America, WestJet Cargo hopes to expand its network to Latin America.
'It will be in the north of Latin America because we need the maximum payload to feed the Miami hub,' Mr de Bruijn noted.
The executive also mentioned that the carrier hopes to receive approval for its planned Latin America routes before announcing any destinations.
SeaNews Turkey
The inauguration comes nearly a month after the airline received approval and aircraft certification from the government of Canada.
After a delay of nearly a year, the airline celebrated the first flight last Thursday. As more aircraft will be seamlessly integrated into its fleet, the planes are set to be utilized on routes within North America, between Calgary, Halifax, Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles, and Miami.
Although WestJet Cargo hopes to add the aircraft as soon as possible, the carrier is being cautious. According to WestJet's executive vice president of cargo Kristen de Bruijn, the airline plans to begin its cargo operation in phases.
'In order to be a reliable airline we have to be a little bit careful with the startup. So the approach we took is to make sure we gradually start the operation so we always have a spare plane on the ground. It's not the most cost-effective way and could leave opportunities around. But it's required because we need to start, we need to do it well and we need to do it on time.'
The carrier will reportedly welcome its second 737-800BCF next week, with plans to add the third three weeks after. A fourth freighter will join the fleet this summer once its conversion at a facility in Costa Rica is completed.
WestJet Cargo's joint venture with the GTA Group will allow the airline to quickly implement the 737s into service.
With the first flight complete, the airline is already planning other destinations to serve as it receives more aircraft. In addition to routes within North America, WestJet Cargo hopes to expand its network to Latin America.
'It will be in the north of Latin America because we need the maximum payload to feed the Miami hub,' Mr de Bruijn noted.
The executive also mentioned that the carrier hopes to receive approval for its planned Latin America routes before announcing any destinations.
SeaNews Turkey
