Amanda Ierfino
Photo: WestJet
WestJet has named Amanda Ierfino as its new Vice President of Sales and Cargo, tasking her with leading the airline’s transition away from dedicated freighter operations toward a renewed focus on belly cargo services.
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The appointment, effective June 1, comes at a pivotal time for the Canadian carrier, which announced earlier this year that it would phase out its freighter fleet. Ierfino will now oversee the strategic shift toward optimizing cargo capacity within the airline’s passenger aircraft network.
“Amanda has been a key architect of our corporate and agency sales strategy,” WestJet said in a statement. “Her leadership has helped build strong industry partnerships and reinforce WestJet’s presence across Canada.”
In her expanded role, Ierfino will guide WestJet’s cargo strategy to prioritize high-value goods and strengthen operations across key international trade lanes, including Tokyo and Central America, as well as broader global markets.
“As we evolve, partnerships remain at the heart of everything we do,” said Ierfino. “I’m excited to lead this next chapter with a focus on collaboration, new opportunities, and shared growth.”
According to her LinkedIn profile, Ierfino joined WestJet in December 2022 as Director of Sales. Prior to that, she held leadership roles at digital debt recovery firm Symend and previously served more than seven years at WestJet in various analyst, advisory, and management capacities.
WestJet’s freighter operations officially launched in 2022 with the arrival of its first Boeing 737-800 converted aircraft. However, regulatory delays in the aircraft conversion approval process meant the freighters did not enter service until a year later—by which time the post-pandemic cargo surge had subsided.
In March, the airline confirmed its decision to wind down the freighter program, citing operational complexity and shifting market dynamics. Former cargo chief Kirsten de Bruijn noted that the freighter initiative faced “timing delays” and added complexity that ultimately made it no longer the “right commitment” for the airline.WestJet now turns its attention to maximizing its existing fleet’s bellyhold capabilities, with Ierfino at the helm of its revised cargo and sales strategy.
