The Latin American carrier is increasing its weekly frequencies between Europe and the Americas by 85%, from currently 7 to 13 flights. This corresponds to a 160% growth compared to pre-corona levels in 2019. The Santiago, Chile headquartered airline also signed an order for 17 A321neo aircraft at the Farnborough Air Show to further expand its route offering. Additionally, the LATAM management has confirmed that it will be bringing in the European plane maker’s latest variant, the A321XLR, to complement the Group’s long-haul operations.
More flights, more capacity
These are the services listed on LATAM Cargo’s future schedule, due to enter the market step by step during the second half of this year:
Amsterdam - New York (JFK) - Miami - Bogotá;
Amsterdam - New York (JFK) - Miami - Viracopos - Bogotá;
Amsterdam - Madrid - New York (JFK) - Miami - Bogotá.
Each of the above routes will be operated twice weekly, the management says.
Customers can access the connectivity offered by LATAM Group's passenger network out of New York, and they can use the airline's combined cargo and passenger aircraft capacity from Miami,
depending on availability and routing.
MIA’s expanded gateway function
With more than 30 options, LATAM Cargo operates the largest number of origin-destination alternatives between Europe and Central and South America, facilitating the carriage of pharmaceuticals,
vehicle spare parts, and general cargo, among others.
LATAM reaffirms its commitment to connecting Europe and Brazil by increasing its service to Sao Paulo via Miami, which is used as intercontinental transit point. Group member, LATAM Cargo
Colombia, will operate the MIA-VCP route 9 times per week, deploying B767 freighter aircraft. The lower deck compartments of LATAM’s passenger fleet are available for European exports bound to
other South American destinations and connecting in Miami, and the main decks of the carrier’s freighter fleet serving MIA can be utilized for onward transportation to Chile, Perú, or
Ecuador.
More freighters enable more routes
“The growth of our cargo network, coupled with the improvements to our systems through CROAMIS and the new distribution channels that make capacity available, reflect the commitment of LATAM
and its cargo subsidiaries to offer more and better alternatives to our customers, and to provide the solution of excellence our customers require to connect the world to South America,”
comments Andrés Bianchi, CEO of LATAM Cargo.
The now announced additional flights are a result of the carrier’s B767F fleet expansion, as the Group aims “in combination with the versatility of this freighter aircraft, to operate on
multiple types of routes and optimize connectivity in the Miami transit hub,” explains Señor Bianchi. Currently, it operates 14 freighter aircraft, mostly B767Fs, with plans to add two more
of this Boeing variant by the end of this year.
Interested in A321XLR
In other news: last Thursday (21JUL22), Airbus announced a LATAM order of seventeen A321neo passenger aircraft to further expand its network on the American continent. The carrier has also
confirmed plans to purchase or lease the ultra-long-range version of the single aisle aircraft A321XLR, that just accomplished its maiden flight in Hamburg, Germany. Thanks to the extra fuel
tanks installed in its lower deck section, the aircraft can fly up to 4,700 nm nonstop (8,700 km). “The A321XLR will enable the opening of new routes and will allow LATAM to increase its
international reach,” said Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International.
Cargo capacity is very limited
According to the manufacturer, the newcomer burns 30% less fuel per seat compared to previous generation aircraft. With jetliners like the A321XLR coming to market, and its potential rival, the
future Boeing “New Midsize Airplane” (NMA), international aviation will become a completely new ballgame. Please see: https://www.cargoforwarder.eu/2022/06/19/is-hub-and-spoke-a-phase-out-model/
However, from the cargo industry's point of view, the A321XLR is not really an interesting aircraft. Due to the additional tanks in the underfloor area taking up what would normally be hold
space, the carriage of cargo shipments is extremely limited.
Heiner Siegmund
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