WestJet has taken delivery of the first of four dedicated cargo aircraft. The converted Boeing 737-800 arrived in Calgary on April 7. It’s not clear when it will go into revenue service. The plane is 16 years old and flew for European airlines before its owner, BBAM Limited Partnership, began the conversion in China. WestJet is leasing the aircraft and is the first North American airline to lease from BBAM.
Cargo has become an important revenue source for many airlines and WestJet’s new CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech said it will be a big part of WestJet’s business. “The delivery of our first freighter to our home base in Calgary, Alberta gives us great confidence in the growth and development of our commercial cargo service and I am eager to see our new dedicated commercial cargo service take flight as we begin providing competitive services to cargo customers across Canada,” she said.