LATAM Cargo has officially received its third Boeing 767 BCF this year.

The new delivery completes the airline’s fleet expansion plans and brings its combined total to 19 cargo aircraft.

Announced in 2021 by the LATAM Group, the cargo operator’s fleet expansion plan culminated in the addition of eight passenger-to-cargo converted aircraft, resulting in a growth of over 70 per cent in freighter capacity compared to pre-pandemic levels.

LATAM Cargo expanded its fleet uniformly with the Boeing 767-300 BCF, as it is the ideal aircraft for operations in the region due to its efficiency, versatility, and size.

Gudny Genskowsky, senior vice president of network and alliances for cargo at LATAM, said: “The arrival of this aircraft reflects LATAM Cargo’s commitment to customers and focus on maintaining a sustainable, long-term operation.

“This growth plan was structured collaboratively, with the aim of connecting the region’s export and import industries through a broad and reliable offering.

“At the same time, we considered the inherent volatility of air cargo and thus focused on efficiency, diversification, and flexibility.

“While the industry faces challenging times, we are pleased to have access to this new aircraft to take advantage of opportunities in the territory.”

In the short term, LATAM Cargo has said the new aircraft will strengthen the export of cherries from Chile during the final quarter of the year and increase available capacity for the markets of Colombia and Ecuador during the Valentine’s Day flower season.

Subsequently, it will enable the group to expand its long-haul operations from North America and Europe to South America.

Currently, LATAM Group operates a fleet of 321 aircraft, including 58 Boeing passenger planes (767, 777, and 787) and 245 Airbus aircraft (A319, A320, A320neo, A321, and A321neo).

Additionally, the group has a combined fleet of 19 cargo Boeing 767 aircraft operated by the cargo subsidiaries LATAM Cargo Chile, LATAM Cargo Colombia, and LATAM Cargo Brasil.

READ MORE NEWS: LATAM Cargo win TIACA’s Air Cargo Sustainability Award