Air Canada employs passenger 787s for cargo

Air Canada’s cargo division is the next in a line of carriers to begin leveraging passenger aircraft for cargo operations, using the company’s aircraft to operate cargo-only flights to Europe, with other flights planned for Latin and South America. The flights will carry time-sensitive shipments, including medical supplies to combat the coronavirus pandemic and goods to support the global economy. Because Air Canada does not operate cargo aircraft, its cargo division will leverage excess belly space on the airline's regular passenger flights for shippers. To facilitate these cargo-only flights, Air Canada Cargo has created five, segment-specific sales teams to focus on the unique needs of customers at different levels in the supply chain, the company said in a press release. Air Canada’s first cargo-only flights departed from Toronto ( YYZ ) last week for Frankfurt ( FRA ), London ( LHR ) and Amsterdam ( AMS ), with goods for those immediate locales and for transit to other destinations, according to the release. All flights were operated using 787 aircraft capable of carrying 35 tonnes of cargo. Air Canada charged a flat rate both directions for shippers and freight forwarders, and is also introducing a fractional program, so that shippers who do not require a whole aircraft can still book space. The carrier said its arrangements with shippers and freight forwarders contain clear provisions to ensure essential goods are sold at fair market rates and to authorized suppliers. Air Canada Cargo is now also exploring opportunities to offer this service domestically and is working with various governments to assess the demand across multiple markets within Canada. These operations will include use of smaller Air Canada Express regional aircraft to bring medical and other emergency supplies to smaller or remote regions in Canada. “In addition to providing a much-needed service, these cargo-only flights are also supporting jobs at Air Canada," said Tim Strauss, vice president of cargo at Air Canada. Lufthansa Cargo and LATAM Cargo also began operating passenger aircraft for cargo this week in response to burgeoning demand due to the pandemic.

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