WestJet Cargo supports domestic growth with GTA Group partnership

This story has been updated with additional information from WestJet and GTA Group. Calgary-based WestJet is partnering with Toronto-based aviation services provider GTA Group to fulfill overnight express cargo shipments out of Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and support growing domestic cargo opportunities in the country. Under the long-term partnership, GTA Group will utilize capacity on four dedicated 737-800BCF aircraft operated by WestJet Cargo, according to a March 21 statement from the carrier. In addition to the freighters, GTA Group will also utilize belly capacity from WestJet's commercial fleet. [caption id="attachment_98941" align="alignright" width="614"] Photo courtesy of WestJet Cargo[/caption] The carrier expects to commence flight operations with GTA Group in the back half of 2022, a WestJet spokesperson told Air Cargo World . The carrier’s first 737-800BCF is now painted in WestJet livery after conversion in Guangzhou (CAN), as reported by our sister publication Cargo Facts . GTA Group aims to operate both specific routes and ad-hoc flights whenever possible, a GTA spokesperson told Air Cargo World. Destinations include Calgary International Airport (YYC), Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) and Montreal-Mirabel International Airport (YMX). The spokesperson further noted that the flights will transport a range of express shipments, including e-commerce, perishables, live lobsters and high value items. WestJet Executive Vice President of Cargo Charles Duncan had previously told Air Cargo World that the 737-800BCFs are relatively small compared with widebody freighters, providing the option to serve smaller cities in Canada and creating additional opportunities for domestic cargo expansion. The carrier plans to operate both scheduled services, which will roll out gradually, as well as respond to demand and ad-hoc charter request, the spokesperson said. E-commerce activity and express shipments to and from Canada have been growing rapidly, with the U.S., U.K. and China currently the country’s top origins for cross-border e-commerce shipments, according to Cargo Facts Consulting’s e-commerce dashboard . In turn, many cargo stakeholders have looked to tap into the country’s surging e-commerce demand, including France-based logistics company Geodis, which expanded its MyParcel direct-to-customer delivery service into Canada earlier this year . In 2021 ground services company Swissport opened facilities at Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ), Montreal-Mirabel International Airport (YMX) and Edmonton International Airport (YEG) to serve the 35% increase in Canadian cargo volumes. GTA Group provides various services ranging from cargo handling to e-commerce and cargo sales. The Air Cargo Tech Summit, the new airfreight logistics event presented by Air Cargo World , will take place LIVE in Miami from June 6-7. Learn more and register here.

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