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Cargojet expands fleet amid rising demand for air cargo services

Cargojet expands fleet amid rising demand for air cargo services
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Cargojet, a prominent player in Canada's air cargo industry, has made significant strides since its inception in 2001. Founded by Ajay Virmani, the airline was established to meet the demand for dedicated cargo services across Canada. Virmani's journey from a window cleaner to a successful entrepreneur is noteworthy. He initially purchased the cargo operations of Canada 3000 Inc., and despite challenges following the 2001 attacks, he acquired four Boeing 727s at discounted rates to launch Cargojet.

"In aviation circles, air cargo had always been an afterthought, since commercial airlines focused on moving passengers. Virmani’s master stroke was to forget about passengers altogether and dedicate his aircraft solely to moving things," according to the Financial Post.

Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Cargojet began with a focus on overnight deliveries and quickly gained a reputation for punctuality and efficiency. The airline has achieved several milestones over the years:

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- In 2002, it launched its Overnight Air Cargo Network.

- By 2005, it became publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under CJT.

- In 2014, it entered into a long-term agreement with Purolator.

- In 2015, it expanded internationally with partnerships including Amazon.

- By 2019, Amazon acquired a minority stake in Cargojet.

Cargojet operates an all-cargo fleet optimized for efficient transportation of goods. It boasts an impressive on-time reliability rate of 98.5% across more than 15,000 flight legs annually. Its fleet includes models like Boeing 767-300ER and Boeing 757-200ER.

The airline's collaboration with Canadian rapper Drake brought additional attention when it gifted him a former cargo Boeing 767 dubbed "Air Drake." This move significantly boosted Cargojet's brand visibility.

Despite facing challenges such as rising fuel costs and global supply chain disruptions, Cargojet remains resilient through strategic partnerships and technological investments. Looking forward, the company plans to expand its fleet and international network while focusing on sustainability.

Cargojet's evolution from a small startup to Canada's leading air cargo provider underscores its commitment to meeting customer needs both domestically and globally.

Organizations Included in this History
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