LATAM Cargo ups flights from Europe to South America

This was announced by the carrier during the Intermodal South America, held from 5-7MAR24 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. However, it is still undecided as to whether the freighters will depart from Amsterdam or Brussels, due to the current slot uncertainties at Schiphol Airport.
CargoForwarder Global (CFG) spoke with Jorge Carretero (JC), Sales Director LATAM Cargo Central Europe, about his impressions of the Intermodal and what he gleaned from it.

CFG: Jorge, LATAM Cargo ran a stand at the Intermodal. What significance does this specific exposition have for your airline, and what was the response of the trade audience to your presence?

Attending the Brazil-held Intermodal has paid off for LATAM Cargo in many ways, resumes Jorge Carretero  –  photo: courtesy LATAM Cargo

JC: Held annually, Intermodal South America is the largest and most complete event for the logistics, intralogistics, technology, freight transport and foreign trade sectors in Latin America. Covering all modes of transport, the event offers solutions for the entire logistics chain, from end to end. Hence, as a leading Latin American cargo carrier, attending the trade show is an absolute must.

The market’s response to our participation was very positive, since we met and discussed business with many shippers and forwarders during the three days of the Intermodal, coming from the domestic South American market as well as the European and North American markets where we operate.

In addition, the announcement of new routes and the presentation of new sustainability projects at a special environmental stand at the fair, reinforced LATAM Cargo’s role as a freight carrier that is determined to closely link business opportunities and green initiatives.

CFG: Upping your weekly European frequencies from currently 7 to 10, once the summer flight schedule comes into effect, was a main announcement made by LATAM Cargo at the Intermodal. Will these be seasonal flights or operated all year round?

JC: At the Intermodal, we announced more frequencies to Curitiba and new cargo destinations in South America, served from Europe. These include Florianópolis, Brazil, and Montevideo, Uruguay. Both routes will begin operating in April. Including these routes, we offer the market 10 cargo frequencies from Europe to South America, enabling us to strengthen the connectivity between the two continents to the benefit of our customers. The Florianópolis and Montevideo routes will be served the entire year, so including the next winter schedule which starts at the end of October 2024. This gives our customers long-term planning security.

CFG: Will the new flights be operated from AMS or BRU?

JC: At the moment, we cannot yet confirm the places of origin of these services as we are still awaiting confirmation of slots. Once we have that certainty, we will communicate it immediately, so within the next few weeks.

CFG: How many frequencies do you operate on your two new South American routes?

JC: Both are serviced twice weekly. The two destinations are of great interest to our customers, market studies have shown. They will enable us to continue connecting Europe with South America in a more direct way. We are particularly excited about Florianópolis, located in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, as it is an absolutely new destination for cargo service from Europe. Hence, it will be the very first cargo route ever to connect both points. Montevideo is a route that we already operate, but with an intermediate stop in Miami. Soon, we will offer a direct service to South America to connect with Uruguay’s capital city.

CFG: According to your market studies, which products will be at the top of the list of goods that will fly to the two new destinations?

JC: Since we operate B767F and B767BCF capable of flying nonstop to South American destinations, we have the flexibility to explore new markets and, in this case, can offer the industry to transport pharmaceutical products or general cargo from Europe to Florianópolis in Brazil, and Montevideo, in a more direct and efficient way. From there, the freighters will continue their journey to our homebase, Santiago de Chile. In addition, we are increasing our presence in Curitiba, Brazil’s Paraná state, with a new weekly frequency.

CFG: Jorge, agradecemos la información.

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