One year after signing the contract between LATAM Cargo and Boeing for the conversion of three 767-300ER (Extended Range) passenger aircraft to 767-300BCF (Boeing Converted Freighters), the leader in air cargo transportation to, from and within Latin America received the first converted aircraft, allowing it to end the year with an expanded fleet of 10 freighter aircraft.
The LATAM Cargo Group will subsequently receive a second freighter in 2019 and a third one in 2020, totaling 12 aircraft that will increase its cargo capacity. The changes are part of the company’s new strategy announced in April of this year, which is based on a uniform, robust fleet of 767-300F freighters while removing its last two B777F from service.
“This new addition to our fleet strengthens our presence in Latin America by reinforcing our cargo operation and supplementing our passenger network. This aircraft, together with the other two B767BCF that will be delivered over the next two years, clearly attests to LATAM’s commitment to the region’s cargo markets,” said Andrés Bianchi, CEO of LATAM Cargo.
Considered one of the most complex operations in commercial aviation, the conversion was successfully completed with the collaboration of several departments of the LATAM Group. Initially, the converted aircraft will operate in South America, Central America and Europe.
New routes to enhance our customers’ business
Migrating towards a uniform B767F fleet allows LATAM Cargo to better adjust its itineraries to the size and seasonal fluctuations of the South American cargo markets and gives it greater flexibility in terms of routes and operating frequency while enhancing its operational reliability and strength.
Maximizing the use of our network is key, given the big expansion plan the Group has implemented in this area. Just over the last three years, the company has launched 67 new routes to connect the region to the world, with more than 140 destinations in 25 countries.
Only in 2018 LATAM opened 32 routes that include new destinations such as San Jose (Costa Rica), Boston, Las Vegas, Pisco (Peru), Rome, Lisbon and Tel Aviv; and five new cargo-only routes: Miami-Brussels, Brussels-Montevideo, Amsterdam-Madrid, Madrid-Guarulhos-Santiago, Miami-Antofagasta-Santiago, plus the all-new Bogota-Huntsville service.