LATAM reassigns freighters, operates pax aircraft for cargo

LATAM Cargo has implemented a new strategy to operate passenger aircraft for cargo and reassign its freighter aircraft in response to burgeoning demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic. LATAM Cargo hosts a mixed fleet of passenger aircraft with bellies for cargo transportation and eleven 767-300F aircraft. While its regular strategy is for the freighters to complement the belly holds of passenger aircraft, the passenger aircraft will now be used as freighters. In addition to satisfying customer demand, the move is also intended to protect capacity for the Latin American export and import markets. Thus far, LATAM Cargo has operated two international flights using its “cargo-only” passenger aircraft strategy along its Santiago (SCL) - Mexico City (MEX) route onboard 787-900 aircraft that combined carried more than 80 tonnes of cargo, most of which was salmon. LATAM Cargo also said it has leveraged the strategy to serve Peru’s domestic market and uses an A320 aircraft to carry cargo from Lima (LIM) to Iquitos, which depends on air transportation. LATAM Cargo has used seat containers on such flights for the transport of perishable products, medicines and general cargo. LATAM Cargo has increased its freighter capacity between SCL and Miami (MIA) fivefold, the carrier said in a press release. LATAM Cargo also increased capacity between Europe and South America by 20% for a total of six weekly frequencies between the regions to support the transportation of automotive spare parts, general cargo and medicine to South America, and perishables to Europe. Additionally, the carrier increased frequencies between North America and South America by almost 15%, totaling 26 frequencies each week. LATAM Cargo also announced it will begin operating the SCL - Los Angeles (LAX) freighter route in order to offer additional capacity for salmon transportation and to ensure market access to the West Coast of the U.S. The return trip will be LAX - MEX - LIM - SCL, with this portion of the route supporting the transportation of technology products, spare parts and health-oriented products to Latin America. “The difficulties imposed by this contingency force us to seek alternatives to satisfy our clients’ needs,” said Andres Bianchi, CEO of LATAM Cargo. “This new itinerary, designed and implemented at an unprecedented pace, will allow us to take advantage of our freighter fleet in order to partially meet the shortfall in belly capacity.”

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