West Atlantic
West Atlantic is a Swedish-based holding group for European cargo airlines specializing in mail, dangerous goods, and general freight transportation.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
West Atlantic is a Swedish aviation group headquartered in Malmö and organized as a holding company for two European cargo airlines: West Air Sweden and West Atlantic UK. The group focuses on dedicated air freight rather than passenger transportation, serving logistics, postal, and industrial customers with aircraft configured for cargo operations. Its stated areas of specialization include mail, dangerous goods, and general cargo. The group’s operating model is built around regional and medium-haul freighter services. Its fleet has included turboprop and jet freighters, allowing it to serve both short regional sectors and longer European cargo routes. The group’s operations have included aircraft from the Bombardier CRJ200 family, Boeing 737 freighter variants, and Boeing 767-200 freighters. Reference material describes a fleet of 19 aircraft and approximately 650 employees, although those figures are time-specific and should not be treated as current without a dated operational source. West Atlantic expanded its jet-freighter capabilities during the 2010s. In December 2013, Air Transport Services Group announced an agreement to acquire a 25 percent equity interest in West Atlantic. The investment was associated with the addition of a Boeing 767-200 to the group’s fleet. The aircraft registered SE-RLA completed its first flight in March 2015 and entered commercial service in April of that year; two additional Boeing 767-200s joined later in 2015. In 2017, West Atlantic announced plans to receive four leased Boeing 737-800 converted freighters from GE Capital Aviation Services, with deliveries scheduled between 2017 and 2019. The ownership structure changed again in 2019. LUSAT Air S.L. agreed to become West Atlantic’s majority shareholder in exchange for a €20 million cash injection. This transaction was presented as a capitalization and ownership development rather than a change to the group’s core cargo-airline specialization. West Atlantic has also experienced serious operational incidents. On 8 January 2016, a West Atlantic CRJ200 operating flight SWN294 from Oslo to Tromsø crashed near Lake Akkajaure in Swedish Lapland close to the Norwegian border. Both pilots, the only people aboard, died. On 19 January 2021, a West Atlantic Boeing 737-400 freighter made a very hard landing at Exeter Airport. The aircraft sustained extensive fuselage damage, was written off, and was dismantled at the airport. The available reference material identifies West Atlantic as an active cargo-airline group rather than a passenger airline. Its business positioning is therefore best understood as specialist European air logistics: operating freighter aircraft, supporting postal and express networks, and transporting cargo that may require dedicated handling, including dangerous goods. Its corporate and fleet details may change over time, so current ownership, fleet size, route network, and executive leadership require verification against up-to-date company or aviation-regulatory sources.
History
West Atlantic is a Swedish-based holding group for the cargo airlines West Air Sweden and West Atlantic UK. Its headquarters are in Malmö, and its business is centered on dedicated freight aviation rather than scheduled passenger service. The group transports mail, dangerous goods, and general cargo using aircraft adapted or configured for freighter operations. The company’s publicly documented development during the 2010s involved a gradual move from regional cargo aircraft toward larger jet freighters. On 9 December 2013, Air Transport Services Group announced an agreement to acquire a 25 percent equity interest in West Atlantic. The investment was linked to the introduction of a Boeing 767-200 into the group’s fleet. Aircraft SE-RLA made its first flight on 26 March 2015 and began commercial operations during the night of 6–7 April. Two additional Boeing 767-200 aircraft joined the fleet later in 2015, strengthening the group’s capacity for longer and heavier European cargo sectors. In June 2017, West Atlantic announced that it would take four leased Boeing 737-800 converted freighters from GE Capital Aviation Services. The aircraft were scheduled for delivery between 2017 and 2019. The planned fleet change reflected the continuing importance of narrow-body jet freighters for European express, postal, and general cargo networks, where payload flexibility and compatibility with regional airports are important operating considerations. West Atlantic’s ownership was revised in April 2019 when LUSAT Air S.L. signed an agreement to become the group’s majority shareholder in exchange for a €20 million cash injection. The transaction provided a new majority ownership arrangement and additional capital while leaving the group’s core identity as a European cargo-airline operator intact. The group’s history also includes two serious aircraft incidents documented in the available reference material. On 8 January 2016, a West Atlantic CRJ200 operating as SWN294 from Oslo to Tromsø crashed close to the Norwegian border near Lake Akkajaure in Swedish Lapland. Both pilots, the only occupants, died. On 19 January 2021, a West Atlantic Boeing 737-400 freighter experienced a very hard landing at Exeter Airport. The aircraft sustained severe fuselage damage, was declared a total loss, and was dismantled at the airport. Reference material describes West Atlantic as employing approximately 650 people and operating a fleet of 19 aircraft, with the fleet information stated as of September 2024. Because fleet size, staffing, ownership, and operating arrangements can change, these figures are best treated as dated reference points. The available material does not establish a founding year, founder, current chief executive, current website, or a complete present-day route network.
- 2021
Boeing 737-400 freighter written off at Exeter
[1]A hard landing caused severe damage to a West Atlantic Boeing 737-400 freighter, which was subsequently written off and scrapped.
- 2019
LUSAT Air becomes majority shareholder
[1]LUSAT Air S.L. agreed to become West Atlantic’s majority shareholder in exchange for a €20 million capital injection.
- 2017
Four Boeing 737-800 freighters announced
[1]West Atlantic announced a leasing arrangement with GE Capital Aviation Services for four Boeing 737-800 converted freighters, scheduled for delivery from 2017 to 2019.
- 2016
SWN294 crashes near Lake Akkajaure
[1]A West Atlantic CRJ200 operating between Oslo and Tromsø crashed in Swedish Lapland, killing both pilots.
- 2015
Boeing 767-200 enters commercial service
[1]The aircraft registered SE-RLA made its first flight in March and began commercial operations in April. Two more Boeing 767-200s joined later in the year.
- 2013
Air Transport Services Group takes a minority equity position
[1]Air Transport Services Group announced an agreement to acquire a 25 percent equity interest in West Atlantic, supporting the group’s expansion into Boeing 767 freighter operations.
Products and positioning
A specialist European air-freight group focused on mail, dangerous goods, and general cargo, using dedicated freighter aircraft instead of a passenger-airline model.
Air freight
Regional cargo airline services
West Atlantic’s regional cargo operations use dedicated freighter aircraft to move mail, dangerous goods, and general freight between European airports. The model is designed for logistics and postal customers that require overnight, scheduled, or contract cargo capacity rather than passenger seating. Regional aircraft enable service to smaller airports and shorter sectors, while the group’s larger jet freighters extend its reach and payload capability.
Narrow-body cargo aircraft · 2017
Boeing 737 freighter operations
The group expanded its narrow-body jet-freighter capability through leased Boeing 737-800 converted freighters announced in 2017, with deliveries planned between 2017 and 2019. Boeing 737 freighters are suited to European cargo networks because they combine useful payload capacity with access to airports that support regional and short-haul operations.
Wide-body cargo aircraft · 2015
Boeing 767-200 freighter operations
West Atlantic introduced Boeing 767-200 freighters during the 2010s following the minority investment announced by Air Transport Services Group. The first aircraft, SE-RLA, entered commercial service in April 2015, followed by two additional aircraft later that year. The type provided greater cargo volume and payload capability than the group’s regional aircraft.
Controversies
2016
West Air Sweden Flight 294 crashes during cargo flight from Oslo to Tromsø
A West Air Sweden Bombardier CRJ-200 operating from Oslo Airport to Tromsø Airport lost radar contact after declaring an emergency. The aircraft was later found in mountainous terrain near Lake Akkajaure, and both pilots were killed. The aircraft was carrying approximately 4.5 tonnes of mail and parcels.
Brand decisions
2019
Transfer majority ownership to LUSAT AirM&ABackground
West Atlantic entered a new ownership and capitalization arrangement.
Action taken
LUSAT Air S.L. agreed to become the majority shareholder in exchange for a €20 million cash injection.
Aftermath
The agreement changed majority ownership while the group continued operating as a European cargo-airline holding company.
Cash injection. €20 million (2019 transaction announcement)
2017
Add leased Boeing 737-800 converted freightersProduct launchBackground
The group sought additional narrow-body jet-freighter capacity for European cargo operations.
Action taken
West Atlantic announced an agreement with GE Capital Aviation Services for four leased Boeing 737-800 converted freighters.
Aftermath
Deliveries were planned between 2017 and 2019.
2013
Accept minority investment from Air Transport Services GroupM&ABackground
West Atlantic was expanding its freighter capability and planned to add a Boeing 767-200 to its fleet.
Action taken
The group agreed to sell Air Transport Services Group a 25 percent equity interest.
Aftermath
The investment was followed by the introduction of Boeing 767-200 freighters, beginning with SE-RLA’s commercial service in 2015.
Recent events
- 2021
West Atlantic Boeing 737-400 freighter written off after hard landing[1]
Other
A West Atlantic Boeing 737-400 freighter made a very hard landing at Exeter Airport. The aircraft suffered extensive fuselage damage, was written off, and was scrapped at the airport.
- 2019
LUSAT Air agrees to become West Atlantic’s majority shareholder[1]
M&A
LUSAT Air S.L. signed an agreement to become West Atlantic’s new majority shareholder in return for a €20 million cash injection.
- 2017
West Atlantic announces leased Boeing 737-800 freighter deliveries[1]
Product launch · Product generation
West Atlantic announced an arrangement with GE Capital Aviation Services for four leased Boeing 737-800 converted freighters, with deliveries planned from 2017 through 2019.
- 2016
West Atlantic CRJ200 crashes near Lake Akkajaure[1]
Other
A West Atlantic CRJ200 operating flight SWN294 from Oslo to Tromsø crashed near Lake Akkajaure in Swedish Lapland. The two pilots aboard were killed.
- 2015
West Atlantic introduces Boeing 767-200 freighter operations[1]
Product launch · Product generation
The Boeing 767-200 registered SE-RLA completed its first flight on 26 March and entered commercial service on the night of 6–7 April. Two further 767-200 aircraft joined the fleet later in the year.
- 2013
Air Transport Services Group agrees to acquire a minority stake in West Atlantic[1]
M&A
Air Transport Services Group announced an agreement to acquire a 25 percent equity interest in West Atlantic. The investment was associated with the planned addition of a Boeing 767-200 freighter.
Sources2 sources
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