LATAM to lease three 767-300Fs to FedEx

LATAM Airlines Group said that as part of its freighter fleet rationalization plan, it was “in the process of leasing out three of its 767-300Fs to another company operating in a different market for a period of three years.”

While LATAM did not identify the lessee, one of the three (32573) has already been re-registered to FedEx, and a second (32572) is in the process of re-registration to FedEx.

LATAM was formed from the merger of Chile-based LAN Ailines, and Brazil’s TAM, and while TAM did not operate freighrters, LAN certainly did. Through it’s LAN Cargo subsidiary, LAN has ordered eight 767-300Fs and two 777Fs from Boeing, and also acquired three ex-Japan Airlines 767-300Fs and leased two 777Fs from GECAS. However, LAN Cargo itself no longer operates any of the 767 freighters. As shown in the chart, it has placed six units in the fleets of subsidiary carriers ABSA (Brazil), MAS Air (Mexico), and Linea Aerea Carguera de Colombia, and has leased three to Florida West International Airlines. And, as of the last two weeks, has leased two more to FedEx.

Cargo Facts does not know which of LATAM’s remaining six 767-300Fs will be leased, but we expect it also will go to FedEx. This will leave LAN Cargo itself operating just three 777Fs (the fourth is at Linea Aerea Carguera de Colombia).