Guarulhos becomes Latam Cargo’s main hub…

The new perishables facility is a result of both the increased importance of temperature sensitive items transported by Latam Cargo, and the company’s decision to remodel diverse freight terminals, getting them in proper shape for new or additional air services. Only when the ground infrastructure matches the specific requirements of the products handled and flown, can the expectations of customers be met when it comes to delivering first class services, holds the Latam management.

Different cooling options
This explains why particularly the Brazilian arm of Latam Cargo started a much-needed remodeling process of freight terminals across the country, as now accomplished in Sao Paulo.
There, 50% of the new cool facility is equipped with rooms offering temperatures varying from 0 - 2°C and 2 - 12°C. If needed, temperatures can also be upped to 22°C in any of the different chambers, depending on the product requirements.  
Thanks to their new facility, the LATAM Group has increased the storage and throughput capacity at their Guarulhos perishables hub by 33%.

Commitment to quality
In his comment, Andrés Bianchi, CEO of the LATAM Cargo Group, points out that Latin America is a major producer and exporter of perishables, and that its economic development largely depends on the international recognition of the quality of the region’s products. “Faced with this reality, and as the leader in air transportation in the region, we took on the challenge of providing excellence in service and execution, and investing in leading-edge infrastructure to protect the freshness of the products carried, with the high standards our value proposal is well known for,” states the executive.

Reduced exposure to non-controlled climate conditions
The outstanding importance of Guarulhos for Latam Cargo’s perishables business is shown by these figures: 19% of salmon harvested in Chile connects at GRU, primarily en route to the U.S. and China. Similarly, 14% of the asparagus produced in Peru transits GRU on its way to the United Kingdom and Germany, and 22% of Peruvian mangoes destined to Spain and France is processed there. Other perishables connecting at Guarulhos hub include cherries, southern hake, trout, and fresh flowers, all of them requiring specific storage temperatures.
Claudio Torres, International Commercial Director – South America, summarizes: “Our perishable hub will help us to reduce the time perishables are exposed to non-controlled temperatures by up to 20%, thanks to its capacity to offer variable temperature ranges and its strategic location closer to the loading areas.”