WestJet Cargo Expands Pet Transportation Services to Major European Airports

Published: Monday, September 2, 2024

As the world marked International Dog Day on August 26, WestJet Cargo announced the expansion of its pet transportation services to three major European airports: London Gatwick (LGW), London Heathrow (LHR), and Edinburgh (EDI).

This expansion came in response to the growing demand for secure and reliable international pet travel between Canada and Europe, reinforcing WestJet Cargo’s commitment to providing specialized care for pets during their journey.

“At WestJet Cargo, we recognized that pets are beloved members of the family, and their safety and comfort during travel were our utmost priorities. By extending our pet transportation service to LGW, LHR, and EDI, we enhanced connectivity for pet owners and ensured that their pets received the highest standard of care throughout their journey,” said Kirsten de Bruijn, Executive Vice President of WestJet Cargo.

WestJet Cargo’s pet transportation service was tailored to meet the specific needs of all pets, including brachycephalic breeds, which required special attention during air travel. The airline strictly adhered to IATA’s Live Animals Regulations, and all pet transport occurred in pressurized, temperature-controlled cargo holds to ensure a safe and comfortable environment. Pet owners were provided with comprehensive pre-flight preparation guidelines, and WestJet Cargo maintained open communication throughout the journey, offering support in the event of any unexpected changes.

Pet owners and specialized freight forwarders could easily arrange transportation through WestJet Cargo’s customer service or online booking system. The service was designed to comply with European regulations, accommodating the specific requirements of international pet travel.

In addition to the new routes, WestJet Cargo had been operating year-round pet transportation services to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) since earlier this year. In response to continued strong demand, some of the routes scheduled to pause later this year were set to resume next year. Looking forward, WestJet Cargo planned to leverage its strong passenger network to further expand its pet transportation services across Europe.