LATAM Airlines Group has announced it will convert four of its B767-300ERs into dedicated freighters with options for a further four conversions.
The first four firm-ordered B767-300ER(BCF)s will be redelivered to the South American group in 2021 and 2022. Should it choose to execute the options, the additional four units will redeliver in 2022 and 2023.
"We maintain our commitment to support the region’s exporters and importers by providing them with more and better options to carry their cargo to their destinations," group CEO Roberto Alvo said. He added that as a result, LATAM Cargo's growth plans would have been accelerated with the conversion of up to eight Boeing 767-300ERs in the next 30 months.
The group said the P2F conversion programme could increase its dedicated freighter capacity by up to 80%. It did not disclose which AOCs the newly converted aircraft would be allocated to.
LATAM Cargo chief executive Andrés Bianchi underlined that the aircraft would support both the group's international cargo services and rapidly growing domestic markets boosted by burgeoning demand for e-commerce.
According to the ch-aviation fleets module, LATAM's dedicated freighter fleet currently comprises two B767-300Fs operated by LATAM Cargo Chile, three B767-300Fs operated by LATAM Cargo Brasil, and three B767-300Fs and three B767-300(ERBCF)s (converted from the group's passenger aircraft) operated by LATAM Cargo Colombia. Its fleet of passenger B767-300(ER)s includes thirteen units operated by LATAM Airlines Brasil and fifteen by LATAM Airlines Perú, all of which are owned by the group.
