Category Archives: LATAM Cargo

LATAM group domestic operations to exceed pre-pandemic levels

LATAM group projects a passenger operation of 85% for January (measured in available seat kilometers – ASK) compared to the same period in 2019. The group expects to operate approximately 1,409 domestic and international daily flights during the month, connecting 144 destinations in 22 countries. In terms of cargo, the group has more than 1,590 flights scheduled.

At the group level, domestic operation data for January (Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru) exceeds the levels of the same period in 2019, with the exception of Chile whose recovery has been slower compared to the rest of the markets. In the case of cargo, the positive trend continues and accumulates a sixth consecutive month with a capacity projection above pre-pandemic data.

In December 2022, passenger traffic (measured in revenue passenger-kilometers – RPK) was 80.0% compared to the same period in 2019, based on an operation measured in ASK (available seat-kilometers) of 85.2% compared to December 2019. This implied that the load factor decreased 5.1 percentage points, reaching 78.4%.

In cargo, the load factor was 54.7%, which corresponds to a decrease of 2.6 percentage points compared to December 2019.

LATAM Group Operation Estimate – January 2023

(passenger operations measured in ASK / cargo operations measured in ATK)

Brazil ●      94% projected operation (versus January 2019). Reference December 2022 projection: 92%

    • 120% domestic and 71% international

●      Total destinations in January: 54 domestic and 21 international.
Chile ●      73% projected operation (versus January 2019). Reference December 2022 projection: 80%

    • 74% domestic and 73% international

●      Total destinations in January: 17 domestic and 27 international.
Colombia ●      113% projected operation (versus January 2019). Reference December 2022 projection: 113%

    • 130% domestic and 97% international

●      Total destinations in January: 17 domestic and 5 international.
Ecuador ●      75% projected operation (versus January 2019). Reference December 2022 projection: 73%

    • 143% domestic and 56% international

●      Total destinations in January: 8 domestic and 4 international.
Peru ●      85% projected operation (versus January 2019). Reference December 2022 projection: 83%

    • 122% domestic and 75% international

●      Total destinations in January: 19 domestic and 27 international.
Cargo ●      111% projected operation (versus January 2019). Reference December 2022 projection: 116%

o   94% belly domestic and 81% belly international*

o   192% dedicated freighter

*Belly: merchandise transported in the cargo hold (lower deck) of the aircraft.

Operation estimate by segment vs 2019 – January 2023

 (measured in ASK)

 

Domestic Spanish-speaking countries 83%
Domestic Brazil 120%
International 71%
Consolidated Total 85%

 

Note: Argentina’s domestic operations are considered in the 2019 operational statistics above; however, on June 17, 2020 LATAM announced the indefinite cessation of its domestic passenger and cargo operations in Argentina.

Top Copyright Photo: LATAM Airlines (Brazil) Airbus A320-271N WL PR-XBA (msn 8529) GRU (Rodrigo Cozzato). Image: 959882.

LATAM (Brazil) aircraft photo gallery:

LATAM projects operations of 83% for November and reaches 144 destinations, matching pre-pandemic levels

LATAM group projects passenger operations 83% for November (measured in available seat-kilometers – ASK) in comparison to the same time period in 2019 (in a pre-pandemic scenario) and maintains its projection to exceed 85% in terms of consolidated operational recovery by the end of the year. This month, the group will hit a major milestone in resuming to fly to the same number of destinations as it did prior to the Covid-19 pandemic in November 2019.

At the same time, the group restarted its routes of Curitiba-Santiago and Antofagasta-Lima, which solidified its regional network connectivity.

LATAM plans to operate approximately 1,347 daily national and international flights this month, connecting 144 destinations across 22 countries. Meanwhile, the cargo business has more than 1,500 flights scheduled. All these projections are subject to changes in the pandemic across the countries in which it operates.

In October 2022, passenger traffic (measured in revenue passenger-kilometers – RPK) was 82.8% compared to the same time period in 2019, based on an operation measured in ASK (available seat-kilometers) of 81.9% compared to October 2019. This suggests that the load factor increased  0.9%, reaching 83.3%.

For cargo, the load factor was 55.4%, corresponding to an increase of 0.7 points compared to September 2019.

LATAM Airlines Group Estimated Operations, November 2022

(passenger operations measured in ASK / cargo operations measured in ATK)

*Belly: merchandise transported in the cargo hold (lower deck) of the aircraft.

Operational Estimate by Segment vs. 2019 – November 2022

(measured in ASK)

Note: While Argentina’s domestic operations are considered in the 2019 operational statistics above, LATAM announced the indefinite cessation of its domestic passenger and cargo operations in Argentina on June 17, 2020.

Top Copyright Photo: LATAM Airlines (Brazil) Boeing 777-32W ER PT-MUE (msn 38886) AMS (Ton Jochems). Image: 950078.

LATAM Airlines (Brazil) aircraft photo gallery:

Joint venture approved between Delta and LATAM

Delta Air Lines has made this announcement:

The U.S. Department of Transportation granted final approval to the Joint Venture between Delta and LATAM, which will allow passengers to access more than 300 destinations between the US/Canada and South America (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay). 

Once implemented, the approval enables Delta and LATAM Airlines Group, LATAM Airlines Brasil, LATAM Airlines Colombia, LATAM Airlines Peru and LATAM Airlines Paraguay to begin the work of unlocking new customer and cargo benefits – including enhanced service and expanded route offerings – that will add to the codeshare routes and reciprocal loyalty benefits already in place. More details on the benefits of the partnership will be shared in the coming months.
From more routes to loyalty points, 5 ways Delta’s global partnerships can help youDelta has secured approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation for its new joint venture with LATAM – the largest airline in Latin America. So what does that mean for customers? Click through for five reasons why Delta partners with like-minded carriers around the world.

LATAM Group made this announcement:

Delta Air Lines and the LATAM Group will work closely to create the leading airline partnership between the United States/Canada and South America (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay) and connect the Americas to the world like never before with access to more than 300 destinations, after the United States Department of Transportation granted final approval to their Joint Venture.

Once implemented, the approval enables Delta and LATAM Airlines Group, LATAM Airlines Brasil, LATAM Airlines Colombia, LATAM Airlines Peru and LATAM Airlines Paraguay to begin the work of unlocking new customer and cargo benefits – including enhanced service and expanded route offerings – that will add to the codeshare routes and reciprocal loyalty benefits already in place. More details on the benefits of the partnership will be shared in the coming months.

LATAM expects to reach 81% of operations in September and aims to end the year above 85%

LATAM group projects passenger operations of 81% for September (measured in available seat kilometers – ASK) compared to the same period in 2019 (in a pre-pandemic scenario), and projects to exceed 85% in terms of consolidated operational recovery for the close of 2022.

LATAM expects to operate approximately 1,290 daily domestic and international flights during September, connecting 142 destinations in 22 countries, and the group’s cargo business has scheduled more than 1,270 flights. These projections are subject to the evolution of the pandemic in the countries where the group operates.

In August 2022, passenger traffic (measured in revenue passenger-kilometers – RPK) was 80.9% compared to the same period in 2019, based on an operation measured in ASK (available seat-kilometers) of 81.8% compared to August 2019. As a result, the load factor decreased 0.9 percentage points, reaching 83.0%.

The load factor of cargo operations was 55.8%, which corresponds to an increase of 1.3 percentage points compared to August 2019.

LATAM Group Operational Estimate – September 2022

(Passenger operations measured in ASK / Cargo operations measured in ATK)

page1image21973648 page1image21973024

Brazil

● 89% projected operation (versus September 2019). August 2022 projection reference: 89%

● 103% domestic and 72% international
● Total September destinations: 54 domestic and 20 international.

Chile

● 70% projected operation (versus September 2019). August 2022 projection reference: 69%

● 74% domestic and 68% international
● Total September destinations: 16 domestic and 25 international.

Colombia

● 115% projected operation (versus September 2019). August 2022 projection reference: 109%

● 138% domestic and 88% international
● Total July destinations: 17 domestic and 5 international.

Ecuador

● 55% projected operation (versus September 2019). August 2022 projection reference: 51%

● 132% domestic and 31% international
● Total September destinations: 8 domestic and 3 international.

Perú

● 79% projected operation (versus September 2019). August 2022 projection reference: 78%

● 91% domestic and 74% international
● Total July destinations: 19 domestic and 26 international

Cargo

● 96% projected operation (versus September 2019). August 2022 projection reference: 100%

  • ●  68% domestic belly and 79% international belly*
  • ●  153% dedicated freighter

*Belly: mercancía transportada en la bodega de carga (lower deck) del avión.

Operational Estimate by Segment vs. 2019 – September 2022

(Measured in ASK)

page2image21682688

Domestic Spanish-speaking countries

81%

Domestic Brazil

103%

Internacional

68%

Consolidated Total

81%

Note: While Argentina’s domestic operations are considered in the 2019 operational statistics above, LATAM announced the indefinite cessation of its domestic passenger and cargo operations in Argentina on June 17, 2020.

LATAM Airlines (Chile) aircraft photo gallery:

LATAM projects to reach 81% operation in August with a challenging regional reactivation environment

LATAM Group projects a passenger operation of 81% for August (measured in available seat kilometers – ASK) compared to the same period in 2019 (pre-pandemic scenario). In the domestic markets, while Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, and Colombia exceeded pre-pandemic levels, Chile is the one with the least recovery, reaching only 76%.

This month, the group plans the resumption of the emblematic route between Santiago de Chile and Easter Island/Rapa Nui, and the start of operations between São Paulo/Guarulhos and Presidente Prudente. LATAM group’s cargo operations are expected to reach pre-pandemic levels of capacity (measured in ATKs) during August, with the progressive fleet expansion to continue during the next few months.

LATAM expects to operate approximately 1249 daily domestic and international flights during August, connecting 135 destinations in 22 countries.

The group’s cargo business has scheduled more than 1,280 flights on cargo freighters. These projections are subject to the evolution of the pandemic in the countries where the group operates.

In July 2022, passenger traffic (measured in revenue passenger-kilometers – RPK) was 77.8% in relation to the same period in 2019, based on an operation of 79.7% compared to July 2019 (measured in ASK – available seat kilometers.) As a result, the load factor decreased 2.1 percentage points, reaching 82.4%.

The load factor of cargo operations was 54.9%, which corresponds to an increase of 2.0 percentage points compared to July 2019.

LATAM Group Operational Estimate – August 2022

(Passenger operations measured in ASK / Cargo operations measured in ATK)

page1image29233632 page1image29237168

Brazil

● 89% projected operation (versus August 2019). July 2022 projection reference: 88%

● 107% domestic and 69% international
● Total August destinations: 54 domestic (equivalent to 622 daily flights on

average) and 20 international

● Updates:
o Domestic: New São Paulo/Guarulhos-Presidente Prudente route (7

flights/week)

Chile
  • ●  69% projected operation (versus August 2019). July 2022 projection reference: 67%
  • ●  76% domestic and 66% international
  • ●  Total August destinations: 15 domestic (equivalent to 115 daily flights on

    average) and 25 international

    ● Updates:

● Domestic: Restart Santiago de Chile – Easter Island/Rapa Nui route

(2 flights/week)

Colombia

● 109% projected operation (versus August 2019). July 2022 projection reference: 107%

● 132% domestic and 83% international
● Total August destinations: 17 domestic (equivalent to 185 daily flights on

average) and 5 international

Ecuador

● 51% projected operation (versus August 2019). July 2022 projection reference: 50%

● 134% domestic and 29% international
● Total August destinations: 8 domestic (equivalent to 43 daily flights on

average) and 3 international

Peru

● 78% projected operation (versus August 2019). July 2022 projection reference: 76%

● 90% domestic and 73% international
● Total August destinations: 19 domestic (equivalent to 173 daily flights on

average) and 26 international

Cargo

● 100% projected operation (versus August 2019). July 2022 projection reference: 96%

  • ●  74% domestic belly and 81% international belly*
  • ●  157% dedicated freighter

*Belly: merchandise transported in the cargo hold (lower deck) of the aircraft.

Operational Estimate by Segment vs. 2019 – August 2022

(Measured in ASK)

Note: While Argentina’s domestic operations are considered in the 2019 operational statistics above, LATAM announced the indefinite cessation of its domestic passenger and cargo operations in Argentina on June 17, 2020.

LATAM Airlines (Chile) aircraft photo gallery:

LATAM Airlines Group projects operation of 69% for December

LATAM Airlines Group’s operational passenger projection for December 2021 is estimated to reach 69% (measured in available seat kilometers – ASK) of 2019 levels, and a pre-pandemic context.

The increases in the operational projection for Colombia (+14 pp) and Brazil (+10 pp) stand out, compared to the November projection for this year. In Brazil, the increase is accompanied by new domestic routes to Jericoacoara and Vitória da Conquista, in addition to the reactivation of flights to Milan and London from São Paulo / Guarulhos. The seasonal routes Santiago-Florianópolis, São Paulo/Guarulhos-Punta del Este and Santiago-Punta del Este have also returned. With these announcements, the group maintains its expectation of closing the year with operations of over 65% of 2019 capacity levels.

LATAM plans to operate approximately 1,212 daily domestic and international flights during December, connecting 129 destinations in 18 countries. The cargo business has 1,150 flights scheduled on cargo freighters with an average utilization level that is 20% higher than the same period in 2019. These projections are subject to the evolution of the pandemic and the travel restrictions in the countries where LATAM Airlines Group operates.

In November 2021, passenger traffic (measured in revenue passenger-kilometers – RPK) was 62.3% in relation to the same period in 2019, based on an operation measured in ASK (available seat-kilometers) of 62.8% compared to November 2019. The load factor decreased 0.6 percentage points, reaching 82.0%. With regard to cargo operations, the load factor was 59.4%, which corresponds to an increase of 2.1 percentage points compared to November 2019.

 

LATAM projects an operation of 46% in July, the highest since the beginning of the pandemic

LATAM Group has issued this statement:

LATAM’s passenger operation for July 2021 is estimated to reach 46% (measured in available seat kilometers – ASK) compared to the same month in 2019, in a pre-pandemic context. This figure represents the largest operation projected since the beginning of the health crisis caused by SARS-CoV-2 and a significant increase from June’s operation of 36.9%. The challenge going forward, however, is the reactivation of markets like Chile and Ecuador, which register the lowest operational recovery of all of the countries in which the group operates. LATAM estimates approximately 880 domestic and international flights daily during July, connecting 116 destinations in 16 countries. Meanwhile, the Cargo division has scheduled 1,030 cargo freighter flights during the period, 20% more than in the same month of 2019. All of these projections are subject to the evolution of the pandemic, as well as travel restrictions in the countries where LATAM operates. During June 2021, passenger traffic (measured in revenue passenger-kilometers – RPK) was 32.1% compared to the same period of 2019, based on an operation measured in ASK (available seat-kilometers) of 36.9% compared to June 2019. Therefore, the load factor decreased 10.8 percentage points, reaching 72.2%. With regard to the cargo operations, the load factor was 62.8%, which corresponds to an increase of 7.7 percentage points compared to June 2019.

LATAM Group Operational Estimate – July 2021 (measured in ASK)

Brazil ● 48% projected operation (versus July 2019) ○ 75% domestic and 20% international ● Total July destinations: 44 domestic (equivalent to 418 daily flights on average) and 13 international. ○ Updates: ■ Domestic: 10 new routes: Río/Santos Dumont-Recife, Río/Santos Dumont-Maceió, Río/Santos Dumont-Natal, São Paulo/Congonhas-Fortaleza, São Paulo/Congonhas-Maceió, São Paulo/Congonhas-Natal, São Paulo/Congonhas-Recife, Fortaleza-Belém, Fortaleza-Manaus, Fortaleza-Teresina. ■ International: Restart routes São Paulo/Guarulhos-Paris and São Paulo/Guarulhos-Bogotá.

Chile ● 35% projected operation (versus July 2019) ○ 68% domestic and 21% international ● Total July destinations: 15 domestic (equivalent to 122 daily flights on average) and 14 international. ○ Updates: Restart route Santiago-New York (direct)

Colombia ● 76% projected operation (versus July 2019) ○ 98% domestic and 50% international ● Total July destinations: 15 domestic (equivalent to 136 daily flights on average) and 4 international. ○ Updates: ■ Domestic: New route Medellín-Cúcuta. ■ International: Restart route Bogotá-São Paulo/Guarulhos.

Ecuador ● 23% projected operation (versus July 2019) ○ 82% domestic and 7% international ● Total July destinations: 7 domestic (equivalent to 22 daily flights on average) and 2 international.

Peru ● 45% projected operation (versus July 2019) ○ 66% domestic and 38% international ● Total July destinations: 19 domestic (equivalent to 126 daily flights on average) and 17 international. ○ Updates: ■ Domestic: New route Arequipa-Cusco. ■ International: Restart Lima-Madrid and Lima-Orlando operations.

Cargo ● 75% projected operation (versus July 2019) ○ 63% domestic belly and 50% international belly* ○ 126% dedicated cargo * Belly: merchandise transported in the cargo hold (lower deck) of the aircraft

LATAM Group to expand its Boeing 767-300F freighters fleet by 2023

Delivered on November 9, 2017

LATAM Group announced the expansion of its freighter fleet growth under which it now plans to add 10 Boeing 767-300 Boeing Converted Freighters over the next three years. This will bring the fleet size to up to 21 freighters by 2023.  The first aircraft will be expected to begin operations in December 2021.

The Group’s freighter fleet growth plan initially included four firm conversion orders with Boeing and another four conversion options. Two months after the initial announcement, LATAM has exercised the four options, eight planes, and the conversion of two additional Boeing 767-300ERs. This means that the freighter fleet will be comprised of up to 21 aircraft by the end of 2023. Upon completion of the plan the Group will have almost doubled its freighter capacity as well as reduced the average fleet age from 17 to 14 years.

Growing from 11 to 21 freighter planes will enable the LATAM Group’s cargo subsidiaries to expand and reinforce their capacity to, from and within South America, and positioning the Group as the main freighter operator group in the region. The first eight airplanes have been allocated to markets that are critical for key customer segments.

“In general terms, the majority of the plan focuses on improving connectivity between North and South America. In particular, capacity from Colombia and Ecuador will be strengthened to support the flower export industry. Additional flights to support Chilean salmon exports as well as import traffic into the country will also be reinforced. Capacity to and from Brazil will also go up as we add routes from North America and Europe, boosting both the export and import markets”, said Kamal Hadad, LATAM Cargo’s Network and Alliances Director.

Hadad added that the freighter fleet flexibility will help LATAM assess a range of options. “For example, the two additional conversions could be used to refresh the current fleet or to begin new growth projects. The Group still has time to make the relevant decisions,” he concluded.

LATAM also announced that it will use some of the 767-300ERs that are awaiting conversion under a hybrid format to benefit customers in the short term. The seats will be completely removed from three planes for this purpose in order to have a payload of up to 46 tons per flight. Two of these planes are already operational. The third one is expected to be available in the second quarter of 2021.

Furthermore, LATAM is optimizing commonality across their fleet of 767-300 production and converted freighters to maximize capacity, including the ability to transport delicate goods.

Top Copyright Photo: LATAM Airlines Cargo (Chile) Boeing 767-316F ER WL N534LA (msn 32572) AMS (Ton Jochems). Image: 941889.

LATAM (Chile) aircraft slide show: