The carrier will increase their cargo capacity by up to 80 percent with the conversion of up to eight Boeing 767-300ERs into freighters. The conversions will be implemented in two phases with four aircraft to be converted between 2021-2022 and the remaining four from 2022-23.
On Monday (March 1, 2021), LATAM announced that they will convert up to eight Boeing 767-300ERs into 767-300BCF freighters, increasing their total cargo capacity by up to 80 percent. The conversions will take place in two phases with four aircraft converted between 2021-2022 and the remaining four aircraft to be converted between 2022 and 2023. If all conversions are completed, LATAM will operate a total of 19 Boeing 737-300ER freighters. The added capacity will help consolidate LATAM’s position as the leading cargo operator in South America, allowing affiliates to reinforce operations from North America and Europe to South America and expand operations in the flower markets of Ecuador and Colombia.
In Monday’s announcement, LATAM Airlines Group’s CEO, Roberto Alvo, said,
“Despite the deep crisis the industry is enduring due to the pandemic, we maintain our commitment to support the region’s exporters and importers by providing them with more and better options to carry their cargo to their destinations. As a result, we growth plan have been accelerated with conversion of up to eight Boeing 767-300ERs in the next 30 months. This investment, together with the significant cost efficiencies that we have generated during the Chapter 11 process, puts us closer to achieving our aspiration of being the best alternative for cargo customers.”
Also commenting on the 767-300ER conversions, LATAM Cargo’s CEO, Andrés Bianchi, added,
“Combining the passenger belly operations of LATAM Airlines Group with 15 to 19 Boeing 767-300ER freighters efficiently strengthens our customer value proposition. These conversions will enable the cargo affiliates to grow in key segments such the Colombian flower market or imports to Brazil. It also allows our affiliates to expand their network in domestic markets where e-commerce is rapidly generating an increase in air cargo traffic. Growing with Boeing 767-300CFs freighters is extremely efficient as it is the optimal aircraft for all these undertakings, and we can take advantage of the benefit of operating a single fleet type.”
LATAM Airlines Group is the leading airline group in Latin America, offering service to five domestic markets (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru) as well as international service to Europe, the United States and the Caribbean. The Group operates a fleet of Boeing 767, 777 and 787s and Airbus A350, A321, A320, A320neo and A319s.
Source: LATAM Airlines Group