WestJet Cargo has announced a new agreement with supply chain technology provider Flexport to offer new airfreight solutions for Canadian exports into Asia.
The cargo airline states that the partnership opens new doors and reinforces its commitment to customers and Canadian economic growth.
Under the agreement, WestJet Cargo will deliver Canadian cargo to O’Hare International Airport (ORD), where Flexport operates dedicated freighters from the US to key air freight hubs in Asia, including Incheon International Airport (ICN), Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), effectively expanding the global reach for WestJet Cargo and their customers.
There has been a surge in demand for Canadian products in key Asian markets, particularly perishables such as seafood, and so WestJet Cargo and Flexport’s comprehensive solution meets the needs of customers in Halifax and the surrounding regions at a pivotal time.
Neel Jones Shah, executive vice president of global key accounts and chief customer officer at Flexport, said: “We’re thrilled to collaborate with WestJet Cargo to provide a creative, dependable air freight solution for Canadian exporters looking for greater access to Asian markets.
“Our collaboration with WestJet Cargo is the latest example in Flexport’s mission to make global commerce so easy there’ll be more of it; by creating a fast lane for Canadian exporters to move their goods, we can break down global trade barriers and boost export volumes for these producers.”
Kirsten De Bruijn, executive vice president of cargo at WestJet Cargo, said: “This partnership with Flexport opens new doors for WestJet Cargo, and reinforces our commitment to our customers and Canadian economic growth.
“Together, we offer cutting-edge logistics solutions to meet the growing demand from Canadian exporters to Asia, particularly with regards to our valuable perishable cargo.
“Using ORD as a connection point, we are seamlessly able to transfer cargo within a matter of hours, further ensuring the freshness and integrity of key Canadian perishable exports.”
Key highlights of the partnership include:
- Connect Canada to Asia for exports and boost Canadian trade opportunities.
- Benefits for Halifax and the Maritime Regions, renowned for their thriving seafood exports where there are limited direct options into Asia.
- The introduction of seasonal flights from Vancouver, British Columbia, to transport cherries to Incheon, and expand the reach of Canadian agricultural products to connect into Asia via Flexport’s network
- Prioritising the transportation of perishable goods, with an emphasis on maintaining their freshness.
- To explore opportunities to expand into specialised and high-value commodities.
- Flexport’s innovative solutions, which includes tail-to-tail transfers at ORD to minimise transit times and preserve perishable cargo integrity, makes them the ideal collaborator for WestJet Cargo.
The collaboration began in July 2023 and WestJet Cargo and Flexport state they will continue to explore opportunities to expand the agreement into additional destination airports in Asia and gateways at origin.
WestJet Cargo and Flexport have expressed their excitement about the prospects this collaboration offers for Canadian businesses and look forward to contributing to the growth of Canadian exports to Asia.
READ MORE CONTENT: Q&A with Kirsten de Bruijn, executive vice-president, WestJet Cargo