WestJet Cargo To Slash Fleet

After roughly a year, WestJet announced it would cut back flying of its Cargo division and place aircraft in storage.

For WestJet Cargo, the launch into the freighter market was seen as a bid to expand the business, reach new markets, increase revenues and generally diversify.

However, as Boeing 737 Freighters are parked, WestJet is essentially throwing in the towel and believing it doesn’t stand a chance.

The Canadian carrier primarily cites that the freight market within the country is incredibly challenging, with less demand than expected.

However, executives’ comments highlight struggles to compete with other more established freight operators, namely Air Canada Cargo.

While the flag carrier’s cargo division hasn’t had it easy and was already forced to park new planes in a recent investor and financial meeting due to a lack of demand, its stronghold is more than present.

The reasoning from WestJet is particularly interesting, as many low-cost units in the country operating passenger operations have cited this when shutting down.

From Lynx to the integration of Swoop into WestJet to the struggles at Flair and the recent demise of Canada Jetlines, all share a common theme: Competing in the market is incredibly difficult, and that completion comes from the established Air Canada.

Two Boeing Converted freighters remain in service, a spokesperson for WestJet confirmed to Freight Waves, and the business isn’t shutting, contrary to reporting last week.

While cutbacks are occurring, WestJet will endeavour to maintain an active fleet. The decision to cut the fleet in half isn’t a fresh one; it came earlier in 2024 as part of a business review.

Julia Kaiser, a media relations advisor, told Freight Waves that the last two months have been the strongest in WestJet Cargo’s history. The routes served by cargo bellies on the passenger fleet performed strongly.

However, this points towards cargo space on the passenger fleet, not necessarily the Boeing converted freighters.