LAN boosts freighter fleet

WITH revenues up nearly 50 per cent, LAN Cargo is ramping up its maindeck capacity. Latin America’s leading cargo carrier has signed a wet-lease for three 767-300Fs and placed an order for one more 777 freighter.

Between November and late January, three 767 cargo aircraft are joining LAN’s fleet, boosting capacity by about 15 per cent. The 777 is due in the fourth quarter of 2012, the same period that LAN is scheduled to take delivery of another 777 cargo aircraft. These moves will bring its freighter line-up to 10 767-300s and four 777s.

The decision to step up freighter capacity comes in response to rampant growth in Latin American cargo traffic this year. According to Cristian Ureta (right), general manager of LAN Cargo, growth has been strong across the airline’s network.

In the first nine months of this year LAN’s income from freight operations climbed to US$910.6 million, 48.4 per cent more than in the same period last year. The carrier’s freight traffic rose 28.2 per cent.

Southbound traffic into Latin America has been the strongest driver, but export volumes are also on the rise. Ureta mentioned the recovery of salmon exports from Chile, which had been nearly wiped out by a devastating disease hitting fish stocks two years ago.

For the full story read the latest free digital edition of Air Cargo News, no. 691 dated 29 November, here.