Cargojet has appointed Pauline Dhillon as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2026, marking a significant leadership transition at Canada’s leading all-cargo airline as it positions itself for its next phase of international growth.
A founding partner of Cargojet, Dhillon brings more than 24 years of experience with the company and has played a central role in shaping its strategy, culture and operational foundations since inception. Her promotion from Co-CEO reflects a deliberate move by the board to ensure continuity of leadership while advancing the carrier’s expansion ambitions, particularly in European and Asian markets.
Over her career at Cargojet, Dhillon has held a broad range of senior leadership roles, including Vice President, Corporate Marketing & Government Affairs, Chief Corporate Officer, and, most recently Co-CEO. Her responsibilities have spanned nearly every critical function of the business, encompassing human resources, finance and information technology, regulatory affairs, strategic customer management, charter sales, revenue optimisation, maintenance oversight and stakeholder engagement.
In addition to her operational and commercial remit, Dhillon has been instrumental in building and mentoring Cargojet’s senior leadership team, a capability widely viewed as a cornerstone of the airline’s resilience and long-term growth.
“Pauline’s strategic vision, deep understanding of our operations, and commitment to our customers and employees make her the ideal choice to lead Cargojet into the future,” said Ajay Virmani, Executive Chairman of Cargojet. He added that Dhillon has been “at the forefront of building a customer-centric culture that has become the foundation of our success.”
In her first comments as CEO, Dhillon emphasised continuity, culture and sustainable growth as guiding priorities for her tenure. “I am honoured to take on this role and excited about the opportunities ahead,” she said. “We have a talented team at Cargojet, and I am confident that together we will continue to deliver exceptional service to our customers and drive sustainable growth for our shareholders.”
Reflecting on her long association with the company, Dhillon highlighted the people and values that have defined Cargojet’s journey. “Having been part of Cargojet since its inception, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing our growth, our challenges, and our evolution into the company we are today,” she said. “This journey has been shaped by dedication, integrity, and the unwavering commitment of our people across every base and role.”
She also acknowledged the role of key leaders in Cargojet’s development, thanking Executive Chairman Ajay Virmani for his vision and mentorship, and Jamie Porteous for more than two decades of partnership. Looking ahead, Dhillon said her focus would remain on strengthening Cargojet’s core strengths: a culture grounded in respect and teamwork, an uncompromising commitment to safety, and consistent delivery excellence for customers, partners and communities.
As Cargojet looks to expand its international footprint while maintaining its strong domestic and transborder networks, Dhillon’s appointment signals a leadership approach rooted in deep institutional knowledge, operational discipline and a clear customer-centric vision—qualities likely to be critical as global air cargo markets continue to evolve.
