Over the coming years, Jettainer will continue to manage and maintain WestJet’s entire ULD fleet while providing additional flatbed containers as the airline develops its new cargo services.
Calgary, Alberta-based WestJet currently operates a Boeing airliner fleet of more than 100 737-700, 737-800, 737 Max 8 and 787-9 Dreamliners, but this year will see a major expansion of its airline operations. Its fleet consists of four 737-800BCFs.
Three of these Boeing converted freighters have already entered service, and a fourth aircraft will join the fleet in due course.
At the end of April, the first operation with cargo in the history of WestJet airline successfully took place. They will be just the beginning of a rapidly growing network of dedicated cargo services, which will complement the company’s extensive warehouse cargo operations.
Its customers will benefit not only from WestJet Cargo’s additional cargo capacity, but also from the new connections it will offer between Canada and the Caribbean, Europe, Japan and the US.
Special cargo services will be offered. For example, WestJet Cargo hopes to take advantage of the growing business of e-commerce as well as the transportation of valuable goods such as perishables.
Jettainer’s ULD management service for WestJet covers over 1,000 containers and pallets for the movement of both baggage and cargo.
The container fleet consists mainly of AKE light units, but these are now complemented by freighter-specific flatbed containers.
Jettainer also supplies additional equipment at short notice through its Lease & Fly service, which is a rental service for special or standard unit load equipment when required by an airline.
According to Jettainer, it continuously analyzes unit load device needs, movements and stock levels, and adjusts fleet composition as needed, ensuring it can meet WestJet’s needs at all times.
In addition, he said, Jettainer’s advanced computing solution, JettWareNG, which enables greater automation and artificial intelligence (AI)-aided decision-making, is bringing greater efficiency.
Furthermore, thanks to intelligent data analysis, it is possible to locate lost ULDs and identify units that are stranded outside the airport for long periods of time.
Speaking in Munich, Kirsten de Bruijn, WestJet’s Executive Vice President Cargo, said that “Jettainer has been a trusted provider of ULD management services to WestJet for years and has continued to improve and innovate its services.”
He continued: “Even after Covid and the pandemic, and despite the huge fluctuations in our ULD requirements, we have always been able to rely on Jettainer for the availability of the required ULD. Outsourcing ULD management allows us to fully fund cargo sales allows us to focus our attention from the ground up, knowing that we have a capable partner to take care of our growing container and pallet needs. Now that we are starting and expanding our cargo division, Jettainer’s experience is our will play an important role in development.
On his part, Kothari Shailendra, CEO of Jetliner Americas Inc. commented, “Our long association with WestJet is an excellent example of how we focus on the individual needs of our customers. Our dedicated team, openness to innovation And the highest level of transparency helps companies to be successful in the long run.
