Colombia's Tampa Cargo is planning to move to an all-Boeing 767 freighter fleet this year, citing a 10% growth in perishable goods transport.
The Bogotá-based airline received its fourth passenger-to-freighter converted 767-200ER in March. The aircraft, leased from GE Capital Aviation Services, was the first to be converted by Brazil's Varig Engineering & Maintenance under a subcontract from Israel Aircraft Industries.
Tampa president Frederik Jacobsen Aparicio says the carrier is looking for two more of the type this year to replace two McDonnell Douglas DC-8-71s. GECAS says it is in talks with Tampa to meet the requirement.
Jacobsen says the airline will use the aircraft to open longer routes, primarily to South American and US destinations. Tampa currently flies from four Colombian cities to Miami.
Jacobsen says the market for perishable agricultural goods such as flowers and vegetables increased last year, and he expects it to continue to grow by about 10% a year. "The 767 is temperature-controlled, so we are very excited for the Latin American market, where customers are looking for a better quality of perishables," he adds.
JUSTIN WASTNAGE/PORTO ALEGRE
Source: Flight International
