The first of January, this year, saw Pauline Dhillon (PD), step into the role of Chief Executive Officer of Cargojet. For over two decades, Dhillon has contributed to Cargojet’s journey – from its inception, through to it becoming Canada’s leading all-cargo airline, known for dependable service and a strong customer focus. Having held increasingly senior roles in corporate marketing and government affairs, and later overseeing a broad range of corporate and operational functions – most recently as Chief Corporate Officer and co-CEO – Dhillon brings a deep understanding of the company’s values and operations to her latest leadership role. Her appointment signals both continuity and renewal – a natural next step for someone who has shaped so much of Cargojet’s story from the very beginning.
In interview with CargoForwarder Global (CFG), Pauline Dhillon reflects on the company’s evolution, the lessons learned along the way, and how Cargojet is preparing for the next phase of growth in a rapidly changing logistics landscape.
CFG: You are a founding member of Cargojet and now officially became CEO of the airline on 01JAN26. What aspects of the business received your immediate attention at the start of this year and what important decisions are forecast for 2026?
PD: Since officially becoming CEO on 01JAN26, my immediate focus has been on ensuring continuity of Cargojet’s operational performance, which has been central to the company since its founding. I have also prioritized supporting the next phase of international expansion, including the operation to Europe. Equally important has been maintaining our people-first ‘ONE TEAM’ culture, with over 2,000 team members driving 24/7 operations.
CFG: Regarding the Cargojet fleet: The average age of your 44 freighters is around 30 years. When are you planning a rollover, given that older B767 and B757 freighters generate higher greenhouse gas emissions? And what freighter variants is Cargojet planning to purchase or lease?
PD: As of 30SEP25, Cargojet operates a fleet of 41 freighter aircraft, 24 Boeing 767s and 17 Boeing 757s. We believe our current fleet size is sufficient to meet our growth needs for at least the next 12 months. Boeing 767 and 757 aircraft are the workhorses of the air cargo industry, and are operated by many major air cargo airlines, including major carriers like UPS and FedEx. We expect these aircraft types to be mainstays of the air cargo industry for some time, and our fleet has years of safe, efficient, and profitable service ahead of it.
We focus on reducing our emissions through fuel-efficiency initiatives using our existing fleet and are actively pursuing a number of opportunities to reduce our overall fuel burn and therefore greenhouse gas emissions, including optimizing our fuel levels with flight plans and optimizing certain maintenance activities to ensure engines are performing at their maximum efficiency.
CFG: In Europe, Liège (LGG) is the only airport served by Cargojet. Are additional destinations in the EU block an option that Cargojet considers serving?
PD: At present, Liège (LGG) serves as Cargojet’s primary gateway into Europe, providing a reliable foundation for our international expansion. While additional EU destinations are being evaluated, any future service will be guided by market demand, operational feasibility, and alignment with our existing network.
CFG: What are the main commodities that Cargojet carries and where do you see its USP in air cargo?
PD: Cargojet specializes in transporting key commodities such as e-commerce, seafood, automotive parts, live animals, and AOG shipments. The airline’s unique selling point is its industry-leading on-time performance, consistently exceeding 98%. Its coast-to-coast overnight domestic network enables the shortest cut-off times in the Canadian market. With a cargo-only operating model, Cargojet is purpose-built to handle time-critical logistics with reliability and precision.
CFG: You mention Cargojet’s 98+% on-time reliability – what is the secret to this success?
PD: Our on-time reliability depends on our people – our team – supported by disciplined execution and a culture built around consistency. What has made Cargojet truly successful is our team; we would not be who we are or what we are without them. With a singular focus on air cargo, we’re able to provide our customers with the personal attention they deserve and the dependable service they expect, night after night. That focus, reinforced by our culture, drives our operational excellence and ultimately our success.
CFG: What has remained the same and what has changed within the airline, since its founding? And where do you see Cargojet in 2030?
PD: Since its founding, Cargojet’s core focus on reliability, customer trust, and people-driven performance has remained unchanged. What has evolved is the scale of the business, growing from a single aircraft operation to a global network spanning North America and Europe. The airline has also expanded beyond domestic overnight operations to offer international and charter services across more than 47 countries. Looking ahead to 2030, Cargojet aims to continue building on this foundation, further expanding its global reach while maintaining the operational excellence and customer focus that have defined the company from the start.
CFG: How would you end this sentence: Running a cargo airline is like…
PD: “Running a cargo airline is like orchestrating a 24/7 symphony – every detail matters, and reliability is earned, not claimed.”
Thank you, Pauline Dhillon
