Canada risks losing WestJet as country’s only 737-800BCF operator

Boeing could lose the only operator of its 737-800BCF conversions in Canada should WestJet’s four units leave the Canadian registry. WestJet has been looking at subleasing opportunities for at least some of its freighters, telling Cargo Facts in early March that it had been exploring how to maximize their value and utilization as part of a review of the airline’s long-term strategy to best align with market demand and its cargo objectives. [caption id="attachment_57149906" align="aligncenter" width="1428"] Unit 34685 performed a test flight in Toronto this week. (Courtesy/WestJet)[/caption] While adjustments are expected, there is no definitive timeline for ending freighter operations, it said. The four 737-800BCFs (32904, 34685, 34686 and 35502) remain on lease with WestJet, lessor BBAM confirmed to Cargo Facts. Any subleases would require BBAM’s consent. Declining activity Of WestJet’s four freighters, the 2006-vintage unit 34686 is the only one that has operated revenue flights in the past ten days, flying between Newark (EWR) and Bermuda (BDA). Its sibling, the 2006-vintage unit 34685, carried out what appears to be a test flight in Toronto (YYZ) on March 26, while the 2003-vintage unit 32904 also carried out what appears to be a test flight in Calgary (YYC) on March 25. The 2007-vintage unit 35502 has been in storage in Hamilton (YHM) since February 2024. WestJet continuously assesses the role of its dedicated freighter operations to ensure they align with business priorities and evolving market dynamics, the carrier told Cargo Facts earlier this month. Delayed market entry It has been two years since WestJet began flying its 737-800BCFs. The carrier took delivery of unit 34686 in April 2022 , unit 32904 in May 2022, unit 34685 in August 2022 and unit 35502 in August 2023, but it was only in April 2023 that Transport Canada approved the 737-800BCF type and allowed WestJet to commence commercial service. WestJet and BBAM are both backed by Canadian private equity firm Onex. It remains to be seen whether WestJet will succeed in its efforts to find more work for its 737-800BCFs. Although multiple lessors have 737-800 freighters parked and potentially available for lease, many of those aircraft do not have engines attached. Air Inuit not interested Meanwhile, Canada is home to two other operators of 737NG freighters, both having selected the AEI 737-800SF conversion. Air Inuit, which told Cargo Facts that it does not see a need to take on WestJet’s 737-800BCFs, began flying its first 737-800SF in 2024. That 2012-vintage aircraft (40855) is the world’s youngest 737-800 freighter and will soon be joined by two 737-800 Combis (40852 and 40853). The first Canadian 737-800F operator was Chrono Aviation , which took delivery of a 2004-vintage 737-800SF (32799) in 2022. Canada’s largest freighter operator, Cargojet, appears to be back in growth mode using 767-300Fs after deciding not to take on 777-200LRMFs and 777-300ERSFs and briefly attempting to remarket its 757-200PCFs in the past two years. Fellow widebody-freighter operator Air Canada has also dialed back its freighter aspirations in the past two years, leasing its two production 767-300Fs (67023 and 67024) to Ethiopian Airlines , deciding to stick with six 767-300BDSFs rather than eight , and canceling an order for two 777Fs . Register now for Cargo Facts EMEA, an essential regional event for industry stakeholders, on May 6-8 at the Shangri-La Bosphorus in Turkey.

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