At the World Cargo Symposium (WCS) — the premier global event convening leaders across the air cargo industry — LATAM Group underscored its dominance in the South American market, revealing that its cargo operations now command a 30% regional air freight market share. The announcement, delivered against the backdrop of the symposium’s first edition hosted in South America, affirms LATAM’s pivotal role in the continent’s logistics ecosystem.
According to the carrier’s regional cargo results for 2025, LATAM’s group‑wide cargo affiliates transported more than one million tonnes of freight globally, generating US$1.7 billion in revenue — accounting for 11.4% of the airline group’s consolidated revenues. The figures not only highlight the cargo division’s robust performance but also reinforce its strategic significance within LATAM’s broader commercial framework.
Operational Excellence and Industry Recognition
LATAM’s performance in 2025 drew international industry acclaim. LATAM Cargo Group was named “Cargo Airline of the Year” by Air Cargo News, making it the first South American carrier in two decades to secure this distinguished global honour. The accolade reflects the airline’s operational resilience, network depth and adaptability in an increasingly competitive and complex logistics environment.
Santiago Álvarez, Chief Commercial Officer of LATAM Cargo Group, attributed the company’s strong regional foothold to its unique commercial model. “Our leadership in South America is the result of deep market knowledge and a model that combines a dedicated freighter fleet with the cargo capacity available on our passenger aircraft,” he said, highlighting how this hybrid approach delivers flexibility, seasonal responsiveness and consistent year‑round connectivity for customers.
Strategic Expansion Across Key Trade Corridors
In 2025, LATAM embarked on its largest expansion to date between Europe and South America, increasing weekly freighter frequencies to 15 and boosting capacity by 25% on that corridor. This enhanced schedule has helped consolidate what the airline describes as the most extensive air cargo network between the two continents, bolstering logistical links for both export and import flows, particularly for high‑value and time‑sensitive goods.
Championing South America’s Signature Export Products
LATAM’s cargo operations have become integral to the global distribution of South America’s most emblematic products. Salmon from Chile, fresh fruit from Chile, Peru, and Brazil, and flowers from Colombia and Ecuador feature prominently in the airline’s freight portfolio. In 2025 alone, the airline moved approximately 250,000 tonnes of flowersfrom Colombia and Ecuador, maintaining its leadership in one of the region’s most dynamic export markets. This leadership was reinforced during the 2026 Valentine’s Day season, when LATAM once again led flower shipments into the United States and Europe for the fourth consecutive year.
In perishable seafood, the carrier transported close to 80,000 tonnes of Chilean salmon, primarily bound for the United States, capturing roughly 50% of the air‑export market for the product. Fruit volumes also remained strong, with over 70,000 tonnes moved from Chile, Peru and Brazil, underlining LATAM’s commitment to servicing vital intercontinental supply chains.
Outlook and Market Position
The disclosure at WCS comes amid a broader period of commercial momentum for LATAM Group. The airline closed 2025 with net income of US$1.5 billion and expanded overall capacity by 8.2% year‑on‑year, with cargo operations continuing to contribute meaningfully to the group’s performance and competitive positioning.
As global supply chains evolve and demand for efficient, flexible air freight grows, LATAM’s expanded network, fleet capabilities and strategic focus on perishables and high‑value exports position the carrier as a central logistical partner for shippers across key markets in the Americas and beyond.
