WestJet Cargo and Flexport have teamed up to offer new airfreight solutions for Canadian exports into Asia.

Under the agreement, WestJet Cargo will deliver cargo from Canada to Chicago 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).

The partnership will initially prioritize the transportation of perishable goods, with an emphasis on maintaining their freshness. These include seafood from Halifax and the Maritime provinces, which have limited direct options into Asia, as well as seasonal cherries from Vancouver. Flexport’s solutions include tail-to-tail transfers at ORD to minimize transit times and preserve perishable cargo integrity.

WestJet Cargo and Flexport have been collaborating since July 2023 and will continue to explore opportunities to expand the agreement, to include specialized and high-value commodities, into additional airports in Asia and gateways at origin.

“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,” said Neel Jones Shah, EVP of global key accounts and chief customer officer.