March 23, 2021 – Aerolíneas Argentinas has informed that, on March 18, 19, 20 and 21, 4 special flights departed to the United States, carrying 30,800 kilograms of corn seeds each.
The seeds were produced in Salto, Province of Buenos Aires, opening the season of seeds export to the northern hemisphere, so the company expects to receive new cargo soon.Argentina is one of the main seed-exporting countries, especially as regards extensive crops like soy, corn, and wheat, holding the first place on the regional ranking and the thirteenth place worldwide.
“In a global crisis context in the passenger air transport industry, air cargo is an alternative that generates income with better return ratios. We began to explore this line last year, and it allows us to create new business opportunities”, stated Pablo Ceriani, President of Aerolíneas Argentinas.These flights are a part of the commercial development plan that the company has been carrying out in connection with air cargo, and that provides for the creation of a business unit specially designed for the large-scale transport of supplies and goods.
Said business unit was announced together with another unit for third-party maintenance. Both are a part of the business plan outlined as a consequence of the merger between Aerolíneas Argentinas and Austral completed on November 30, 2020.It is worth noting that, since last year, Aerolíneas Argentinas has operated many cargo flights, which transported a range of items, from mobile phones and electronic devices from Rio Grande, Tierra del Fuego, to wines, plums, cherries, blueberries, honey, and bees to international destinations. Besides, the company operated 42 cargo flights to China, to bring medical supplies and biosecurity items into the country.
According to the forecasts of the World Air Cargo Forest (WACF), global air cargo transport will grow at a 4% annual rate in the next 20 years, so 2,430 new cargo aircraft will be needed to meet the demand. This means a 60% increase in the available global fleet.As from 2019 and owing to the rise of e-commerce, airlines that have traditionally carried passengers transported 50% of the world cargo, thus, covering the prevailing need for air cargo transport.