WestJet said it has reduced the number of active freighter aircraft in its WestJet Cargo fleet but is continuing operations, despite a media report its freighter network is being shut down.
“I can confirm that WestJet Cargo is continuing operations,” said Julia Kaiser, a WestJet media relations advisor, in a statement to Skies.
WestJet Cargo decided early this year to limit cargo operations to two of the four Boeing Converted Freighters (BCFs) it had operated since 2023, Kaiser said.
The decision was based on unspecified “market conditions,” and Kaiser declined to elaborate on the nature of those conditions.
The airline also utilized 160 wide-belly cargo holds within its passenger aircraft fleet starting in 2023, she said.
“No further cutbacks are planned at this time, and efforts have been made to fully utilize the two BCFs currently in service,” she added.
“You may be interested to hear that the last two months have been the best in WestJet Cargo’s history, with our strongest performance being on routes currently served by the cargo bellies in our passenger fleet.”
WestJet’s BCFs are converted Boeing 737-800 aircraft with cargo volumes of 187.6 cubic meters, according to the company website.
The airline also lists its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, de Havilland Q400 turboprops and passenger-carrying 737-700 and 737 MAX aircraft among its cargo fleet.
WestJet Cargo still listed several scheduled flights on its website as of Monday afternoon.
