UPS boosts cargo capacity to meet Latin American demand

UPS has increased its cargo capacity by nearly 50% on 19 weekly flights into Central and South America. The company said today that its move to “significantly” expand its air express network capacity in the region was building on the “solid growth” in Latin American economies.

It has replaced a narrow-bodied Boeing 757 aircraft flying out of its Miami hub with a new, larger Boeing 767 wide-body freighter.

Expanded cargo capacity will be available for routes into Quito, Ecuador; Bogota, Colombia; Panama City, Panama; Guatemala City, Guatemala; and Managua in Nicaragua.

Romaine Seguin, president of UPS’s Americas Region, said her company was responding to customer demand for more capacity despite already being one of the largest cargo carriers in the Americas.

“This enhancement in the Americas is a great example of how we continue to grow our portfolio of business solutions to serve the logistical needs of our customers,” she said.

UPS said the new B-767 could carry a payload of 132,200 lbs, about 50% more than the B-757. The company has been investing in more wider-bodied aircraft on routes around the world, with 20 new B-767s currently on order.

In Latin America, strong performances in industries including cut flowers, fish, fruit and vegetables, as well as automotive parts, technology and healthcare products have driven economies in the region to growth rates of around 6%.

It has seen a number of carriers jostling to expand their access to the region and presence within key Latin American markets. UPS itself recently entered into a new partnership to boost its service links with Colombia.

The company now has more than 6,000 staff dedicated to the Latin America, with 51 intra-Americas flights and 41 international flights each day serving the region.

UPS International President Dan Brutto said: “Whether you’re talking tilapia, technology or textiles, UPS is uniquely positioned to satisfy customers’ global logistics needs. We are committed customers grow their businesses to the United States and to expand businesses to new markets around the world.”