WestJet | Air Cargo Next

‘Freight Knox’ security for high-value cargo at WestJet

Yael Katzwer — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 21:13:49 +0000

WestJet Cargo in January will begin outsourcing security personnel as an option for customers to add extra safeguards to valuable cargo. Security measures offered through the new Safe’Air program include third-party oversight from a security contractor, direct supervision, secure storage protocols and specialized security containers that will initially be available for flights between Canada […]

WestJet’s de Bruijn joins webinar on AI

Yael Katzwer — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 21:02:22 +0000

The Air Cargo Next editorial team is pleased to announce that Kirsten de Bruijn, executive vice president of cargo for WestJet Cargo, will join the webinar “The Future of AI in Air Cargo,” which will livestream on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 11 a.m. ET.

Learn more and register for the webinar here.

Kirsten de Bruijn

De Bruijn will share use cases for AI, discuss the future of AI in air cargo, highlight the challenges and drawbacks of AI integration, and examine the impact of AI on the workforce. She will be joined on the panel by Nisarg Mehta, co-founder and chief technology officer at Raft, and Michelle Williams, managing director of strategy and business services for Southwest Airlines Cargo.

De Bruijn, who has been in the airline industry for more than 15 years, joined WestJet in April 2022. Prior to that, she served as senior vice president of cargo sales and network planning at Qatar Airways. Air Cargo Next featured de Bruijn as an executive to watch in September.

“While air cargo operations may not consistently lead the charge in technological innovation, the undeniable potential for AI integration is a beacon of optimism,” de Bruijn told Air Cargo Next. “The ongoing transformation, though unfolding gradually, is a promising journey.

“With the integration of AI, we foresee a future where processes are seamlessly streamlined, paving the way for real-time tracking and personalized services that will redefine standards for efficiency and elevate customer satisfaction to new heights.”

Join Air Cargo Next for the free webinar, “The future of AI in air cargo,” on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 11 a.m. ET. More information about the webinar and registration is available here.

Air Cargo Next webinar to address AI uses in air cargo

Yael Katzwer — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 21:58:28 +0000

The use of AI in the air cargo industry has boomed recently, from predictive analytics to cargo management systems, and from digital booking to warehouse automation. Air Cargo Next will discuss these developments and more in an upcoming webinar. “The Future of AI in Air Cargo” is set to livestream on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 11 a.m. ET.

Learn more and register for the webinar here.

Webinar panelists will share use cases for AI, discuss the future of AI in air cargo, highlight the challenges and drawbacks of AI integration, and examine the impact of AI on the workforce.

The webinar, which will be moderated by Air Cargo Next Deputy Editor Yael Katzwer, will feature the following panelists:

Nisarg Mehta, co-founder and chief technology officer at Raft;
Kirsten de Bruijn, executive vice president of cargo at WestJet Cargo; and
Michelle Williams, managing director of strategy and business services at Southwest Airlines Cargo.

“Smart data, AI/ML [machine learning] automation, the right sort of platform … essentially takes the lower value-add tasks and reduces the amount of time necessary to complete them,” Mehta previously told Air Cargo Next. “In five years, 10 years, I think every freight forwarder will be using ML or AI in some form or the other to varying degrees.”

Join Air Cargo Next for “The future of AI in air cargo” on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 11 a.m. ET. More information about the webinar and registration is available here.

Executives to watch in the air cargo industry

Yael Katzwer — Thu, 28 Sep 2023 14:00:18 +0000

The continued success and growth of the air cargo industry does not happen by chance — it is driven by the executives in all branches of the supply chain making smart and innovative decisions. Air Cargo Next is highlighting 12 executives who are successfully guiding their companies through today’s challenging air cargo market. These standout […]

WestJet strike averted

Yael Katzwer — Fri, 19 May 2023 19:12:11 +0000

WestJet Group and the Air Line Pilots Association reached a tentative contract agreement in time to prevent today’s anticipated work stoppage after threats of a strike from the union and a lockout from the carrier. The arbitrated agreement, which took nine months to reach, now awaits ratification from ALPA members. ALPA, which represents about 1,800 […]

WestJet cancels flights ahead of possible strike Friday

Yael Katzwer — Thu, 18 May 2023 16:57:07 +0000

The Canadian carrier WestJet Group has canceled flights ahead of Friday’s expected strike or lockout. The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents about 1,800 pilots from WestJet and subsidiary Swoop, issued a strike notice Monday, warning of action beginning at 3 a.m. MDT Friday should a contract not be successfully negotiated by then. […]

WestJet pilots issue strike notice, carrier issues lockout notice

Yael Katzwer — Tue, 16 May 2023 21:27:23 +0000

Whether from a lockout or a strike, WestJet Group customers — both cargo and passenger — should plan for possible service disruptions Friday. WestJet pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) union, issued a strike notice to Canada-based WestJet on Monday. ALPA, which represents about 1,800 WestJet pilots, according to an ALPA spokesperson, […]

On the rise: 3 executives to watch in 2023

Ashley Mowreader — Fri, 09 Dec 2022 15:15:07 +0000

Being a visionary in 2022 is to be flexible, determined and above all else, resilient. Air cargo executives encountered a slew of challenges this past year, whether it be high jet fuel rates and inflation, geopolitical conflicts and the closure of Russian airspace, manufacturing slowdowns and COVID-19 travel restrictions or labor shortages and backlogs at […]

Novosel named WestJet chief digital officer

Ivan De Luce — Fri, 09 Sep 2022 15:35:14 +0000

WestJet appointed Christian Novosel as chief digital officer as part of its continuing effort to invest in enterprise-wide digital products and solutions. Novosel joins WestJet after serving as head of corporate development and chief data officer for Austrian Airlines, where he led implemented digital solutions.

Gorla named VP of procurement and supply chain at WestJet

Ashley Mowreader — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 17:02:42 +0000

WestJet has added Daniele Gorla to its global leadership team as vice president of procurement and supply chain.

Daniele Gorla, vice president of procurement and supply chain at WestJet

Gorla previously served as director of strategic sourcing and supply chain at Shaw Communications and spent more than a decade with Canadian Pacific Railway, leading its sourcing and procurement teams.