lATAM Cargo continues US expansion with Chicago freighter

LATAM Cargo has continued its expansion in North America with the addition of a freighter service between Chicago and Campinas that will slash transport times.

The Chile-headquartered airline said the twice-weekly B767-300F service, with each flight offering 50 tonnes of capacity, will cut transport times to less than 17 hours from two days previously.

Chicago becomes the airline’s seventh gateway to the US, together with Miami, Orlando, New York, Boston, Los Angeles and Huntsville.

“The Chicago-Campinas route will allow us to provide Premium cargo service to customers of the U.S. Midwest by cutting transit time between both cities from more than two days to less than 17 hours. Also, due to Chicago’s strategic location, we will provide great connectivity with Asia”, said Gabriel Oliva, commercial director for North America, Europe and Asia.

“Many sectors will be benefited by this new route, which is confirmed by the interest the market has shown in being part of this new destination.

“Our clients trust us because of our experience and commitment with a service of the highest of standards, assuring the quality of their cargo at all times. 

“Transporting delicate cargo, as is the case of pharmaceuticals, requires special attention. For this reason, and in an effort to protect quality, we have access to temperature controlled storage facilities that may be expanded if needed.”

The airline has also recently added a Santiago-Chicago direct freighter route with two weekly frequencies, on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

One of the main sectors this route will target is aquaculture, particularly salmon, as it will expedite service by cutting down transit time (under 35 hours), “improving temperature control and reducing cargo exposure”. 

Demand for salmon is Asia has risen over recent years, and the airline provides onward connection to the continent from Chicago.

LATAM Cargo chief executive Andrés Bianchi said: “Chicago is a key gateway in the US and an ideal connecting point to Asia.

“Our new flights to and from the city provide our customers with access to key destinations and improved transit times.”

Chile is the largest exporter of salmon in the region, with a steadily increasing demand from the Asian market in recent years.

While in 2014 an average of 37 tons was transported between both markets each week, in 2018 this figure rose to approximately 700 tons per week on average.