Cargojet Airways (W8, Hamilton, ON) will deploy four of its eight forthcoming B777 converted freighters under a long-term capacity agreement with new minority shareholder DHL Express, FreightWaves has reported citing an investor note from BMO Capital Markets.

The Canadian cargo specialist plans to place its first four B777s with DHL, with service entry expected in late 2023 or early 2024. The deal with the forwarder is for five years, extendable by another two.

The other four B777s will be placed on block-hour contracts with multiple customers.

Sources said Cargojet's B777 fleet would comprise four B777-200(LR)(MF) converted freighters from Mammoth Freighters and four B777-300(ER)s converted by Israel Aerospace Industries. The airline has so far publicly confirmed an order for two -200(LR)(MF)s, a further two -200s without a specified conversion variant, and four -300s also without a specific variant. The -300s are scheduled to deliver between late 2024 and early 2026.

The airline's current fleet comprises nine B757-200(PCF)s, three B767-200(ERBDSF)s, four B767-300ER(BCF)s, and thirteen B767-300ER(BDSF)s, the ch-aviation fleets module shows.