WestJet Cargo to launch time-sensitive Priority service

WestJet Cargo plans to launch a Priority product for time-sensitive shipments that gives top priority for loading and transport, guaranteeing that shipments travel on specific flights.

Available from November 4 across the WestJet Cargo network, the Priority service is designed to meet the needs of industries requiring fast, reliable transportation of critical goods, such as healthcare and manufacturing.

The Priority service features reduced tender cut-off times at WestJet Cargo’s main hubs—Calgary (YYC), Vancouver (YVR), and Toronto (YYZ) – with plans to expand to more hubs in the future.

For narrowbody flights, the cut-off time will be shortened to just two hours before departure instead of the usual three hours, while widebody flights require three hours instead of the usual six hours.

In the unlikely event that a Priority shipment does not fly as confirmed, the Priority charge will be fully refunded, stated WestJet.

“Our Priority product is tailored to address the growing demand for urgent logistics solutions,” said Kirsten de Bruijn, WestJet’s executive vice president cargo. “With shorter cut-off times and guaranteed uplift, we provide a solution that enhances efficiency and peace of mind, especially for customers in healthcare and other critical industries. These clients depend on timely, secure transport for essential goods such as human blood, tissue samples and machinery.”

The Priority service is expected to enhance operations at WestJet Cargo’s key hubs, with over 80% of volumes anticipated to originate or arrive at YYC, YVR, and YYZ, stated the airline.

In the summer, the airline expanded its pet transportation services from Canada to London Gatwick (LGW), London Heathrow (LHR) and Edinburgh (EDI).

WestJet Cargo also launched a new Campus Air service targeting students and staff at Canadian universities needing to transport personal effects.

Specialised services may be all the more important for WestJet Cargo after a tough market resulted in the airline deciding to limit operations to just two 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters (BCF) out of a total of four.

This was despite launching in 2023 with ambitious plans to build its freighter network. In a statement to Air Cargo News in August, the airline said it had no plans to further reduce the freighter fleet.

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