NEW AIRLINE - Mexico's Awesome Cargo partners with WestJet on US feed

Awesome Cargo (WIN, México City Felipe Angeles) has signed a strategic agreement with WestJet Cargo, wherein the Canadian carrier will operate B737-800(BCF)s on behalf of the Mexican one on US-Mexico routes.

The partnership will begin on December 4, 2023, and will initially see WestJet Cargo operating between Los Angeles International and Chicago O'Hare on the US side and México City Felipe Angeles and Guadalajara on the Mexico side "multiple times per week". The operations will feed Awesome Cargo's hub at Mexico City Felipe Ángeles, where the airline bases its two A330-200s in makeshift freighter configurations.

"This partnership is a significant milestone for Awesome Cargo. By uniting forces with WestJet Cargo, we expand our reach into North America and contribute to the evolution of air cargo transport in the region," chief executive Luis Ramos explained.

WestJet currently operates four B737-800(BCF)s under the WestJet Cargo brand, albeit with no separate AOC. The Canadian airline debuted its freighter operations in April 2023 and currently deploys the aircraft on scheduled and charter flights predominantly within Canada, as well as to Chicago O'Hare and Havana International. It has signalled ambitions to enter the US-Latin America cargo market though while speaking of plans to establish a base at Miami International.

WestJet Cargo Executive Vice-President Kirsten de Bruijn confirmed to ch-aviation that the airline will operate under its own code, rather than Awesome Cargo's. It will dedicate two B737-800(BCF)s to the partnership.

For its part, Awesome Cargo - which obtained its Air Operator's Certificate in late October 2023 - has touted plans to add two B737-800 freighters by the end of 2023.

CH Aviation