LATAM Cargo will open a cargo route between Santiago de Chile and Chicago on 19 February, the airline’s sixth destination in the US.
Chicago’s connectivity with Asia is expected to expedited services, reducing transit times to less than 35 hours, improving temperature control and decreasing cargo exposure.
Chile is a major exporter of salmon, with volumes to Asian markets rising from an average of 37 tonnes a week in 2014 to 700 tonnes in 2018.
Claudio Torres, LATAM Cargo’s commercial director – South America says: “We know the Asian market will be a strategic focus in the development of Chilean aquaculture. At LATAM Cargo, we are committed to our customers and we are well aware of the importance of the Asian market for them. This new route will allow us to offer a better service with a much shorter time until the final destination.”
In Chicago, LATAM Cargo’s facilities will include 465 square metres of cold storage, which may be expanded if necessary to minimise cargo exposure while in transit.
The return route will go via Miami, improving services to customers in the Midwestern US by reducing transit times to Latin America by up to 3 days, resulting in shorter connection times and more expeditious shipping.
LATAM Cargo offers Perishable-Salmon, which has been specially designed to transport the product under strict exposure control, and is available on both cargo and passenger aircraft.
The product will have 6 points of entry into the US and 3 connection points on its way to Asia.
Andres Bianchi, CEO of LATAM Cargo says: “The ongoing expansion of our network is proof of our permanent commitment to our customers. We are optimistic about this new route to Chicago and will continue considering new alternatives to improve their experience.”
