WestJet Cargo operates four Boeing 737-800 converted freighter aircraft, with two currently not in use. The head of cargo, Kirsten de Bruijn, has resigned, and WestJet is planning to phase out its freighter operations once it figures out how to dispose of the leased planes.

The attempt by WestJet to run a dedicated cargo airline alongside its passenger business was brief, as it misjudged the market after a surge in airfreight demand during the COVID crisis. De Bruijn, who joined from Qatar Airways, is leaving in June, with WestJet deciding to halt freighter operations but maintain two charter routes temporarily.

The decision to discontinue the freighter operations reflects a change in strategy for WestJet Cargo, following challenges with weak sales and delays in launching services due to certification issues. Initially targeting high-frequency shuttle routes for freight forwarders, the company aimed to bridge the gap in the Canadian air cargo market, especially with the rise of e-commerce during the pandemic.