Avianor carries out conversions of LATAM’s Boeing 767s

Canadian aerospace company Avianor has completed the modification of three Boeing 767 aircraft into temporary freighters for Latin America carrier LATAM Cargo, ahead of a longer-term contract to permanently convert ten aircraft to all-cargo mode.

Avianor was previously contracted to perform cabin reconfiguration work on LATAM’s Boeing 767 and 777 aircraft. 

Avianor’s familiarity with these aircraft, along with its turnkey temporary cargo conversation solution, encouraged LATAM Cargo to contract it to quickly repurpose the cabin interiors of its 767 aircraft to carry cargo.

This deal was made ahead of a programme, announced in May, for Avianor to permanently convert up to ten 767s to all-cargo configuration in the coming years.

LATAM will operate the temporarily-converted aircraft with Avianor’s Transport Canada Civil Aviation Supplemental Type Certificate while it awaits validation by the US Federal Aviation Administration.

The aircraft were modified in early 2021 at LATAM’s Santiago facilities, with Avianor providing the materials and work instructions which were then completed with an official virtual walk through to confirm compliance.

Avianor’s interiors sales vice-president, Marie-Christine Huberdeau said: “The payback is so short that it makes it the perfect solution. We aim to continuously support and respond to the needs of airlines around the world with our effective cargo conversion solution.”

LATAM Cargo’s network and alliances director, Kamal Hadad explained that modification work was carried out in less than 12 weeks, and paid tribute to the “excellent and collaborative teamwork” during a difficult time.

He added: “All modified aircraft are in operation and without complications. The road is not yet finished, and we are still working together on improvements to cabin payload.”

Extended ULD deal with Unilode

Meanwhile, the carrier group has also renewed its ULD management deal with Unilode for another seven years.

As part of the newly extended agreement, Unilode will open a new ULD repair shop in São Paulo, Brazil, by January 2022, and provide digital services and sensory data to LATAM Cargo and its customers.

Juan Pablo Marquez, operational support director, LATAM Cargo, said: “Unilode’s ULD supply has enabled LATAM to continue its operations during these challenging times and the transition to more durable and lighter containers will provide our company with significant sustainability benefits. We are pleased to grow together with our trusted ULD management partner as the aviation industry continues its recovery following the Covid-19 crisis.”

Babak Yazdani, managing director ULD Solutions, Unilode, said: “LATAM Cargo is one of Unilode’s largest ULD management customers and a strategic account in our portfolio as its footprint in Latin America and worldwide network provide substantial synergies in Unilode’s global ULD pool for the benefit of our other customers as well.”