Freight LATAM announces conversion of up to eight B767F

LATAM Airlines Group has released plans to strengthen its cargo business. With the conversion of up to eight Boeing 767-300ER aircraft into Freighters, the operator will boost its cargo capacity. The conversions are expected to be completed over the course of the next three years.

The process to boost its cargo division comes with a two-step plan. In the first phase, four aircraft will be converted firmly. Boeing will re-deliver the 767Fs between 2021 and next year. The second phase sees the remaining four aircraft being delivered. But only, if LATAM exercises its conversion option with Boeing. The aircraft would be delivered between 2022 and 2023.

Roberto Alvo, CEO of LATAM Airlines Group, 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, growth plans 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.”

When all conversion options are exercised, LATAM Cargo will operate with a fleet of 19 Boeing 767-300ER Freighters.

Andrés Bianchi, LATAM Cargo’s CEO, explained the advantages of the Boeing 767-300ER freighter: “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 767-300BCFs 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.”

All these benefits come into place, as the market is in need for freighter aircraft as never before. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the E-Commerce has experienced a boom and this results in more packages being transported and the need for a higher cargo capacity.

LATAM Airlines Group currently has 39 Boeing 767-300 passenger and freighter aircraft in its combined fleet. Of those, 14 passenger aircraft are parked due to the lower passenger travel demand.