Chile's Lan Cargo has started an evaluation of its future fleet requirements as it expands its joint ventures across Latin America and consolidates its network. Lan Cargo operates six Boeing 767-300 Freighters across its airlines in Brazil, Chile, Mexico and the USA, and is taking delivery of two more of the type this year, writes Justin Wastnage.
The airline, a sister division to the Lan Airlines group, also wet-leases four Boeing 747-200Fs and two McDonnell Douglas DC-10s for additional capacity on routes from Latin America to Los Angeles and Miami. Alvaro Carril, vice-president marketing and sales for Lan Cargo, says an evaluation of fleet requirements for 2008 and onwards has started, with a demand for around three widebodies.
The carrier has majority shareholdings in Brazilian carrier Aerolinhas Brasileiras (Absa Cargo) and Mexico's Mas Air, and a minority stake in US carrier Florida West. Carril says aircraft will be spread across the airlines, which may all take the umbrella brand "Lan Cargo Group" at some stage, he says. "Because of local traffic rights restrictions, we had to create companies in those countries along with local investors," says Carril.
The carrier uses triangle routes to balance the import-export ratios of the continent, necessitating fifth-freedom rights, he adds. The company says its 767-300Fs will continue flying for around 20 years and that any aircraft would be additional. Carril says all choices available have disadvantages and initial studies have yet to reveal an ideal aircraft. The carrier flies sectors of around 9,250-11,100km (5,000-6,000nm) from South America to North America and Europe. "The 747-400F is too big, the 747-200 too old, the [Airbus] A300 too fuel-inefficient, the [Boeing] MD-11 is only available used and 777F has too much range," he says.
Source: Flight International
