Voyageur Airways (VAL, North Bay) has won a three-year cargo contract with Canadian logistics integrator Purolator Courier, covering two DHC-8-100(PF) converted turboprops, the carrier's parent Chorus Aviation said in a statement.
"We have been active in air cargo through the conversion of several Dash 8 aircraft to package freighters, however this contract with Purolator marks a meaningful step in the expansion of our capabilities in the cargo market," Chorus President and Chief Executive Officer Joe Randell said.
The contract began on April 12, 2021, and will continue under the current deal through April 2024. The long-term agreement follows a six-month trial phase, during which Voyageur Airways deployed two DHC-8-100(SPF)s (a more rudimentary makeshift conversion of the Dash 8-100) on behalf of the logistics integrator.
The airline said that by deploying two fully-converted De Havilland Aircraft of Canada turboprops, instead of the makeshift variants, it will increase the volume capacity by 38% compared to the trial phase.
Voyageur Airways currently owns twenty Dash 8-100s in passenger, makeshift-converted, and fully-converted versions. Flightradar24 ADS-B data suggests that the two units operating for Purolator are C-GONJ (msn 95) and C-GKON (msn 130), although Chorus Aviation did not confirm this when asked by ch-aviation. Voyageur also owns three DHC-8-300s, one DHC-8-Q300, seven CRJ200s, and two Beech (twin turboprop) B200s.
Chorus Aviation also owns Jazz Air (QK, Halifax), which operates CRJ200s, CRJ900s, DHC-8-Q300s, DHC-8-Q400s, and E175s on behalf of Air Canada.
Purolator is 91%-owned by Canada Post Corporation.
