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The group LATAM announced the expansion of its growth plan from aircraft converted to freighters, under which it hopes to gradually add 10 Boeing 767-300 Boeing Converted Freighters in the next three years.
With this new increase, will total a fleet of 21 cargo planes until the end of the 2023. The first will be received at the end of this year.
Initially, The group's cargo fleet growth plan contemplated four confirmed aircraft with Boeing and four conversion options. Two months after the announcement, LATAM ratified the acquisition of these eight aircraft and announced the conversion of two additional Boeing 767-300ERs. With that, the total fleet of cargo operators will be made up of up to 21 aircraft at the end of 2023, which implies that the group will practically double its cargo fleet and will reduce the average age of said fleet of 17 a 14 years.
“The decision to expand the fleet is based on the fact that there are attractive growth opportunities, in the efficiency gains achieved and the flexibility allowed by the Boeing 767F. As a result, it will be possible to grow profitably, even in scenarios similar to those faced before the pandemic. Thanks to that, LATAM's cargo subsidiaries will continue to respond to the needs of their customers, and supporting the development of the region with better and broader connectivity”, declared Andres Bianchi, CEO of LATAM Cargo.
grow from 11 a 21 cargo planes will lead the group's cargo operators to expand and strengthen their presence from, to and between South America, and consolidate itself as the main group of cargo operators in the region. For now, and after making slight adjustments, the distribution of the capacity of the first eight aircraft was defined to increase its offer in the relevant markets of its customers.
"At a general level, connectivity is reinforced from South America to North America and vice versa. Specifically, the connection from Colombia and Ecuador is strengthened to support the export of the flower sector. Too, Chilean salmon exports and its import market will be strengthened. AND, in Brazil capacity will be increased to and from North America and Europe, fostering both markets, exporter and importer, comments Kamal Hadad, Director of Alliances and Network of LATAM Cargo.
Hadad, He also adds that the flexibility of the cargo fleet allows LATAM to evaluate multiple alternatives.. "For example, the two additional conversions could be used to renew the current fleet or to start new growth projects. The group has time to make the appropriate decisions”, concludes.
To benefit your customers in the short term, cargo operators LATAM will use some 767-300ER's that are waiting to be converted under a hybrid format. to that end, cabin seats will be completely removed from three aircraft, to achieve a payload of up to 46 tons per flight. Two of these aircraft are already operational to provide more capacity and the third is expected to do so during the second quarter..
What's more, LATAM is increasing the similarity between its freighters 767-300 factory and converted to maximize capacity, including the possibility of transporting sensitive cargo.
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Come back to Argentina, now there is only one monopoly!!! When LATAM Argentina was there, people chose them for service and seriousness. It is more where LATAM traveled, Aerolíneas Argentinas had to lower prices because there was real competition.
With the help of 17 unions that are politically flagged, left to 1700 families on the street because they made life impossible for him to leave!!!.
I say this knowingly, since in my family one of those 1700 today he is unoccupied!!!
Regrettably, politics hurt aviation again.
Historically we had cargo airlines like AECA, Andes or the same Ecuatoriana de Aviación with its Cargo division.
Soon in the future let's start to take off in this field, Today with Lasso, the Ecuadorian economy has better prospects of growing in the short to medium term and therefore more foreign investment and innovation..
let's wait and see.
LATAM has consolidated its cargo division with the B767-300F and its subsidiaries are doing well in both Chile, Colombia and Brazil.
Also due to the pandemic, it temporarily uses Boeings 787-9 and Boeing 777-300ER for cargo as Air Canada does with the Airbus A330-300. All airlines try to recover their income by giving their planes a different use, even if they are temporarily adapted to cargo due to the pandemic..
I would have loved to see a LATAM Cargo Ecuador.