LATAM Airlines announced on Monday that it will convert eight of its Boeing 767-300ER into cargo planes. The widebodies will be converted to the BCF (Boeing Converted Freighter) standard in two stages – four planes until 2022 and another four in 2023.
At the end of the program, LATAM will have 19 aircraft dedicated to cargo transportation, which will increase its capacity by almost 80%.
“Despite the profound crisis imposed by the pandemic on the airline industry, the group maintains its commitment to support South American exporters and importers with more and better options to take their products to their destination. That is why we have accelerated the growth plan with the conversion of up to 8 Boeing 767-300ER in the next 30 months , said Roberto Alvo, CEO of LATAM Airlines Group.
The conversion will be carried out by Boeing, which makes several adaptations to the aircraft to receive containers such as the installation of a wide door at the front of the main deck.
The 767-300BCF can transport 24 pallets with 336 m³, which added to the jet’s hold total 445 m³ of space. According to the manufacturer, the cargo capacity is almost 53 tons with a range of 6,000 km.
Currently, the airline based in Chile has 11 Boeing 767 freighters distributed in several regional subsidiaries.
