Air Canada Cargo announces the addition of Chicago O’Hare International Airport to its freighter network.
Air Canada Cargo is poised to bolster its freighter network by adding Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to its roster starting June 2. The service, operating three times weekly on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, will deploy a Boeing 767 freighter, connecting Air Canada Cargo’s global hub at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) with its self-handled warehouse facility at ORD.
Jon Turner, Air Canada’s Vice President of Cargo, expressed eagerness for the expansion, highlighting the strategic deployment of freighters and the extensive coverage of Air Canada’s passenger network. By leveraging a robust trucking network in Chicago, the move enhances Air Canada Cargo’s competitive standing, ensuring consistent capacity for customers while addressing market demands.
In a separate development, Air Canada inaugurated four Boeing 787-9 flights per week between Vancouver and Singapore Changi airports, with cargo handling services provided by SATS at Singapore Changi. Despite an anticipated release of first-quarter results, Air Canada experienced a 27 percent year-on-year decline in cargo revenues for the full year 2023, attributed to diminished air cargo demand and the absence of capacity from temporary passenger freighters. However, increased operations of purpose-built freighters partially offset this decline, signaling resilience amid challenges.
Meanwhile, Air Canada Cargo has diversified its offerings with a range of products catering to various service levels and additional features to meet customer expectations and market demands. The airline’s fleet in the Americas comprises Boeing 767 freighters, Boeing 787-9/8, Boeing 777-300ER/200LR, and Airbus A330-300 widebody aircraft, along with Boeing 737 MAX, Airbus 220-300, and Airbus A321-200/A319-100 narrowbody aircraft.
Currently, Air Canada’s fleet consists of 340 mainline, Rouge, and Jazz aircraft, including 8 freighters, 82 widebodies, and 250 narrowbodies. Over the next four years, the airline plans to add more than 70 new aircraft as part of its fleet renewal program, including 20 Boeing 787-9/10, 19 Airbus A321XLR, 27 Airbus A220-300, and 5 Boeing 737 MAX.
Matthieu Casey, Managing Director of Commercial at Air Canada Cargo, emphasized the company’s competitive advantage in reaching major markets worldwide through one of the most extensive networks in the Americas. He highlighted the airline’s ability to provide consistent capacity via the flexibility of its freighter fleet and expansive passenger widebody network.
Regarding temperature-sensitive transport, Air Canada Cargo prioritizes the integrity of such cargo with dedicated self-handling cargo warehouses and CEIV Pharma certification. The airline implements stringent protocols and specialized procedures throughout the entire cool chain process to ensure cargo integrity. Additionally, Air Canada Cargo offers on-demand flying services with its 767 freighters, providing tailor-made solutions for urgent cargo needs, such as shipping oversized items like a 44-foot-long movie screen weighing nearly 2,000 lbs.
