- The cargo subsidiaries of LATAM group operated with a cargo fleet of 20 planes for the season, thanks to the addition of a new cargo aircraft that allowed it to increase the offered capacity by 16% compared to the previous year.
- Air transportation emerges as an essential alternative for cherry exporters, especially at the beginning of the season due to the expedite transit time, allowing cherries departing from Santiago, Chile, to arrive in China in just 45 hours.
Santiago, January 15, 2024. LATAM group is the largest air carrier of Chilean cherries by 2023, with approximately 7,546 tons of this fruit exported from Chile, representing a 32% growth compared to the previous year.
Chile leads in cherry exports in South America, and LATAM group plays an essential role, transporting 30% of the total volume by air. The majority of cherries, around 90%, are destined for Asia for Chinese New Year celebrations, while a smaller proportion is directed to other markets such as the United States and Brazil.
With a focus on its customers, LATAM group prepared for the season by incorporating 19 weekly frequencies from Santiago dedicated to cherries. The company also added a new cargo aircraft temporarily to its fleet to provide more capacity for cherries and the upcoming high season for flowers, bringing the total number of aircraft to 20 and allowing them to increase the offered capacity for cherries compared to the previous year.
Despite challenges presented by rains in Chile significantly affecting cherry production, LATAM Cargo achieved an important growth by the end of the year. Claudio Torres Faini, Commercial SVP in South America at LATAM Cargo Chile, commented, “We are fully committed to providing our customers with solutions tailored to their needs. In response to a challenging season, we have implemented flexible measures, adjusting both flight frequencies and destinations. This has not only allowed us to offer our customers a greater variety of alternatives but has also generated growth opportunities, especially in the U.S. market.”
LATAM group inaugurated the 2023-2024 season with the first shipment of Chilean cherries departing from Santiago in mid-October to New Zealand, later transported to China through interline agreements.
Air transportation becomes an essential alternative for cherry exporters, especially at the beginning of the season, thanks to the expedited transit time, where in only 45 hours, cherries departing from Santiago, Chile, can arrive in China.
Through its FRESH product, LATAM group ensures a stable and scalable solution for the transportation of perishables such as cherries or salmon, aiming to maintain their quality and freshness from origin to final destination.