AIR CARG O WEEK


THE AMERICAS


CHERRIES, SALMON AND SKY HIGH GAINS: CHILE’S AIR CARGO BOOM


C


hile’s air cargo sector has demonstrated steady growth and strategic dynamism in recent years. In 2024, Santiago’s Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) handled 409,824 tonnes of cargo - a 14% increase compared to 2019 and a 1.5% rise over 2023 -


making it the country’s undisputed cargo hub. Exports of salmon and cherries dominate the mix, representing approximately 61% and 28.3% of volumes respectively, with the United States as the top destination by far. In terms of productivity, Chile’s airfreight volume stood at


1.33 billion tonne kilometres in 2023, and forecasts expect this to rise to 1.38 billion by 2028, implying a modest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 0.6%. The national freight and logistics segment overall is projected to grow from $20.1 billion in 2024 to $27.9 billion by 2030 (CAGR 5.6%) - underpinned by major infrastructure investments in ports, roads, railways and customs facilities.


Cargo airports, major airlines and forwarders Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benítez is by far the primary cargo gateway for Chile.


Its facilities serve LATAM Cargo and other


operators; salmon, cherries and high value perishables flow through in temperature controlled conditions. A second airport, Concepción (Carriel Sur, CCP), while mainly domestic, this airport functions as an alternate international airport and may handle overflow cargo when SCL is constrained. The other 17 commercial regional airports are less significant in airfreight volumes, which remain concentrated at these two hubs. LATAM Cargo Chile is the dominant domestic-sector carrier.


Operating out of Santiago, its fleet of six Boeing 767 freighters serves roughly 21 destinations across South America, North America and Europe, alongside belly hold cargo in LATAM’s passenger flights. In response to perishable goods demand, LATAM added freighter capacity and increased weekly frequencies, especially for cherries during the 2023–24 season, to export over 7,500 tonne of cherries


Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport terminal building, Santiago, Chile


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