WestJet hopes to fly its B737-800 freighters "from March"
The Canadian government's delay to certifying Boeing's B737-800 passenger to freighter conversion program in China has delayed WestJet’s plans to expand into freighter operations.
WestJet has four of the cargo jets at Calgary International Airport and now expects to commence all-cargo flights on March 26, the start of the northern summer flying season.
Once Transport Canada okays the structural modification, the airline will add the planes to its air operators certificate. It then will need some months to complete technical acceptance and validation.
“We had different expectations about the duration of the certification,” said Kristin de Bruijn, executive vice president of cargo at the airline. “It’s been a lengthy process.”
WestJet Cargo will be the first in Canada to operate a 737-800 modified under Boeing’s conversion program.
