LATAM Cargo has received its first converted Boeing 767 Freighter – one of three conversions it will be receiving – with the remaining two to be delivered in 2019 and 2020.
The carrier is consolidating its fleet of 12 767F cargo aircraft and will operate the first 767F primarily in South America, Central America and Europe. It now has a fleet of 10 freighters.
LATAM Cargo signed a contract with Boeing one year ago for the conversion of three 767-300ER (Extended Range) passenger aircraft to 767-300BCF (Boeing Converted Freighters).
The fleet changes are part of the company’s new strategy announced in April of this year, which is based on a uniform, robust fleet of 767-300Fs while removing its last two B777F from service.
“This new addition to our fleet strengthens our presence in Latin America by reinforcing our cargo operation and supplementing our passenger network. This aircraft, together with the other two B767BCF that will be delivered over the next two years, clearly attests to LATAM’s commitment to the region’s cargo markets,” said LATAM Cargo chief executive officer, Andrés Bianchi.
The conversion was successfully completed with the collaboration of several departments of the LATAM Group. Initially, the converted aircraft will operate in South America, Central America and Europe.
LATAM Cargo said migrating towards a uniform B767F fleet allows it to better adjust its itineraries to the size and seasonal fluctuations of the South American cargo markets and gives it greater flexibility in terms of routes and operating frequency while enhancing its operational reliability and strength.
The carrier said maximising the use of its network is key, given the big expansion plan the Group has implemented in this area. Just over the last three years, it has launched 67 new routes to connect the region to the world, with more than 140 destinations in 25 countries.
In 2018 LATAM opened 32 routes that include new destinations such as San Jose (Costa Rica), Boston, Las Vegas, Pisco (Peru), Rome, Lisbon and Tel Aviv; and five new cargo-only routes: Miami-Brussels, Brussels-Montevideo, Amsterdam-Madrid, Madrid-Guarulhos-Santiago, Miami-Antofagasta-Santiago, plus the all-new Bogota-Huntsville service.
