Airlines

LATAM Group to add 10 Boeing 767-300 BCF

LATAM Group to add 10 Boeing 767-300 BCF: Over the course of the next three years, the LATAM Group announced that its freight fleet development would be expanded, which will now include 10 Boeing 767-300 Boeing Converted Freighters (BCF). By 2023, the fleet will go up to 21 cargo carriers. In December 2021, the service of the first aircraft is scheduled.

Initially, four firm conversion orders with Boeing and four more conversion options were included in the Group’s freighter Fleet development strategy. LATAM exercised the 4 options, 8 planes, and 2 more Boeing 767-300ERs two months after the initial announcement. That means that by the end of 2023, up to 21 aircraft will be in the freighting fleet. Once the plan is over, its cargo capacity has almost doubled as well as the average fleet age will also be decreased from 17 to 14.

With the growth of 11 to 21 freight carrier systems, the cargo subsidiaries of the LATAM Group will be able to extend, strengthen and place the Group as the main freight carrier group in Latin America. The first 8 aircraft were assigned to critical markets for main customer segments.

In the first quarter of 2021, freight revenue for LATAM increased by 36.8 percent to $345.2 million for airliners. In March, LATAM announced that up to eight 767 will be converted to cargo in order to protect this market.

Although all the converted freight aircraft will be received by LATAM, the airline shall operate in a hybrid format with commercial aviation. For this sort of flight, the airline will use around 767-300ER.

It will remove the seats completely from three aircraft that allow up to 46 tons of payload per flight. There are currently two such aircraft operating. In the next few months, the third will be available.

“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.

Related Topics:767 767-300 airbus Boeing latam

Airlines

Air India Rolls Out A350s for Delhi-New York JFK and Newark Routes

In a major development for North American travelers, Air India has announced the deployment of its state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft on two key routes: Delhi to New York and Delhi to Newark.

The service on the Delhi-New York route will commence on November 1, 2024, while the Delhi-Newark route will see its inaugural flight on January 2, 2025.

The introduction of the air india a350 will bring significant enhancements to Air India’s offerings, particularly with the launch of its Premium Economy class. air india retrofit This new class will feature 24 wide seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, providing passengers with extra legroom and a more comfortable flying experience.

Soon, Air India aircraft will feature onboard WiFi & all-new cabins: Click here

“We are encouraged by the positive guest feedback we have received from the domestic deployment of our air india a350 interior to offer our hero product on the Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes. This is a significant leap forward for our U.S. operations that also underscores our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of Air India.

The A350’s Business class will set new standards with 28 private suites, each equipped with full-flat beds, direct aisle access, and personal wardrobes. Economy class will be configured to accommodate 264 passengers in a 3-4-3 layout. Across all cabins, passengers will enjoy the latest Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment system, offering over 2,200 hours of content.

Air India’s First A350-900: Interior, Routes, &Inflight Features: Click here

This strategic deployment marks a notable enhancement in Air India’s U.S. operations, with 60% of its flights to the U.S. now featuring new or upgraded cabin interiors. The air india new international routes currently operates 51 weekly flights to five U.S. destinations: New York JFK, Newark, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco.

The revamped cabins, advanced in-flight entertainment systems, and improved service standards represent air india wifi commitment to providing a superior travel experience. “We believe this enhanced offering will solidify Air India’s position as a leading carrier and attract travellers seeking a world-class flying experience between India and the United States,” the airline stated.

Seats on these flights are now available for booking on Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents, ensuring that passengers can easily plan their journeys on these newly upgraded routes.