UPS has increased cargo capacity on 19 weekly flights between the USA and various Central andSouth America destinations in response to economic growth and increasing trade in the region.
Effective last week, UPS increased its cargo capacity by more than 50% on 19 weekly flights intoCentral and South America, replacing a Boeing 757 narrow-body aircraft with a new, larger B-767wide-body freighter.
The flights originate from UPS’s Americas hub in Miami and operate into Quito and Guayaquil(Ecuador), Bogota (Colombia), Panama City, Guatemala City and Managua (Nicaragua).
In total, UPS operates some 126 daily flights in Latin America and the Caribbean region, with 25international routes (mostly with the USA) and 101 intra-regional routes. The international routesserve 25 airports while the intra-regional routes cover 45 airports.
UPS, which has 39 B767-300 ER freighters in operation, has a further 20 currently on order. TheB767-300ERF can carry up to 53 tonnes, or about 50% more than a B-757. UPS said it uses thesetwo aircraft types almost exclusively in the Americas for reasons of crew, operational andmaintenance efficiency. The high schedule reliability rate of both aircraft is an attractivealternative for exporters with tight supply chain and cold chain requirements.
“UPS has been one of the largest cargo carriers in the Americas for more than a decade so whenour customers asked for more capacity, we responded with this larger aircraft,” said RomaineSeguin, president of UPS’s Americas Region. “This enhancement in the Americas is a great example ofhow we continue to grow our portfolio of business solutions to serve the logistical needs of ourcustomers.”
UPS is growing well in Latin America and is optimistic about the region’s prospects, she toldthe Latin Trade magazine in a recent interview. The company’s average daily export volume grew by10% in Brazil last year and by 40% in Colombia, for example, she pointed out.
The economies of Latin America grew an average 6% in 2010, led by such export industries asflowers and farmed fish in Colombia and Ecuador; fruits and vegetables in Guatemala; okra &automotive parts in Nicaragua, fresh fish out of Panama. Technology and health care products alsoare increasing.
“Whether you’re talking tilapia, technology or textiles, UPS is uniquely positioned to satisfycustomers’ global logistics needs,” added UPS International President Dan Brutto. “We arecommitted to helping customers grow their businesses to the United States and to expand businessesto new markets around the world.”
