LAN Cargo predicts 18 per cent growth
11 / 03 / 2010
CHILE’S LAN Cargo says that it expects its cargo capacity to grow about 16 to 18 per cent in 2010. It plans to achieve this by more effective use of its fleet, particularly two 777 freighters it received last year.
The fleet currently comprises 11 freighters – nine 767-300Fs and two 777-200Fs – with plans to increase this to 13 in 2012 by buying an additional one of each type.
In December, cargo volumes rose 23.8 per cent from the year before. However, figures for the entire year reveal LAN recorded only 2,623 billion revenue tonne-kilometres, a drop of 9.7 per cent from 2008.
Nonetheless, December’s recovery was due to an upswing in import and export markets in Latin America, as well as increased operations to Europe. In line with the higher demand, capacity grew 11.5 per cent. As a result, the cargo load factor rose 7.3 points, reaching 73.5 per cent.
