LATAM Q1 cargo revenues boosted by salmon and electronics demand

LATAM Cargo recorded an improvement in revenues and volumes during the first quarter of the year, boosted by demand for salmon, electronics and capital goods.
The airline reported a 16.6% increase in first-quarter cargo revenues to $295.8m, while volumes were up 5.6% to 225,000 tons and its load factor stood at 54.8% against 52.9% for the same period in 2017.
LATAM said its improved cargo performance was driven by a 7.1% increase in cargo yields, mainly due to a better demand environment, increased revenue management and a higher fuel surcharge.
Imports from North America and Europe to Brazil showed an improvement in terms of revenues per available ton km (ATK), driven by higher imports of electronics and capital goods.
Export markets are showing a recovery year-over-year driven mainly by salmon exports from Chile.
As a result, cargo revenues per ATK improved by 11% in comparison to the same quarter of the previous year, "consolidating and further improving the positive trend shown since the beginning of last year", the airline said.
Regarding the airline’s fleet, as reported by Air Cargo News, it sold two Boeing 777-200Fs to Atlas Air, meaning its freighter fleet stands at nine B767-300F.
By the end of the year the fleet is expected to reach 10 B767-300F, next year the fleet is expected to climb to 12 B767-300F.
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