New air cargo service launched at Edmonton International Airport

Edmonton — WestCan International Airlines Ltd. has announced that it will commence new air cargo charter services from a base at Edmonton International Airport.

The company will operate a Boeing 727-100 freighter aircraft for charter work within Canada as well as transborder flights to and from the U.S. The aircraft is certified to operate on northern gravel and ice airstrips to re-supply the oilsands, mines and other remote resource developments.

“With a payload of 21,300 kilograms, this will be a great tool for the oil and gas and mining industries with large projects in Alberta and across the North,” says WestCan President Don Siddle.

Until now, on-demand service like this has not been readily available for manufacturers, suppliers and other local shippers of freight, out-sized loads, and perishables, or for urgent, direct delivery of other goods across the continent.

“Edmonton International Airport has put considerable resources into promoting air cargo service development to better meet growing industry demand in this region,” says John Olmstead, head of Business Development for WestCan. “We are pleased to support those efforts with a home-grown solution that will add links needed in the domestic and northern air networks, and expand international connections.”

In the coming months, WestCan will work with the freight industry, existing airlines and development agencies to expand Alberta’s and Canada’s trade markets. The company expects to build on the strength of the region’s economy and grow into a leading all-cargo airline in the West and beyond, Olmstead says.

“We welcome WestCan as our latest air cargo partner at Edmonton International Airport,” says Reg Milley, Edmonton Airports President and CEO. “The focus on Canada’s north is important to Edmonton Airports and supports our vision to be the North’s preferred gateway to the World, and the world’s preferred gateway to the North.”

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Edmonton International Airport is Canada’s fastest-growing major airport.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Edmonton Airports Corporate Communications     
Jim Rudolph                                                         
Phone: 780.890.8454; Cell: 780.717.5117            
E-mail: jrudolph@flyeia.com              
Website: www.flyeia.com                  

WestCan International Airlines Ltd.
John Olmstead, Business Development
Phone: 780.890.7959
E-mail: jolmstead@westcanair.ca
Website: www.westcanair.ca