LATAM: Carrier’s first transportation of stem cells in aircraft cabin

LATAM Cargo has successfully transported human stem cells in the cabin of its Boeing 767 flight from Viracopos International Airport in Brazil to Ministro Pistarini International Airport in Buenos Aires.

After being contacted by Incucai — a company that promotes, regulates, coordinates and monitors organ, tissue and cell donation/transplant activity in Argentina — LATAM Cargo committed to transporting the cells through its Solidary Plane programme, which for nine years has facilitated the transportation of patients who require medical treatment, organs, tissues, stem cells and medicine in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Chile.

Luis Eduardo Melnik, captain of the LATAM Cargo aircraft THAT carried the stem cells, commented: “In a pandemic situation, freighter flights become more important than ever, and programs such as the Solidary Plane become hope. We are facing the largest crisis in our history, but we will make every effort possible so one of our flights can provide a person with a life opportunity.”

Incucai added: “This pandemic is challenging for all of us and working methods are changing, but fortunately we have been successful in providing ill patients with bone marrow transplants from foreign donors. In this case, thanks to a donor from Brazil and LATAM Cargo’s support, a patient from Argentina will be transplanted.”