IAG Cargo will launch a new passenger route to Chile from winter 2016, becoming the only carrier to fly directly from London Heathrow to Santiago International Airport.
With the four times a week bellyhold freight service, IAG Cargo – the freight arm of British Airways (BA), Iberia, Vueling and Aer Lingus – said that it will now be able to offer customers “a weekly lift of up to 3,360 tonnes into Latin America”.
The service is set to become IAG Cargo’s longest direct route and will be served by a BA 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
From summer 2016, IAG Cargo will also operate new direct flights from Madrid to San Juan, Puerto Rico and from London Gatwick to San Jose, Costa Rica and Lima, Peru.
Camilo Garcia, head of sales at IAG Cargo, commented: “This new route adds to our expanding network in Latin America. With perishables and pharmaceutical goods being key export commodities for this region. Our next generation aircraft with temperature control in the hold ensures that our time and temperature sensitive products are delivered in optimum condition for our customers.
”This new development augments IAG Cargo’s existing route into Santiago from Madrid, which helps to better connect our customers to the 350+ destinations on IAG Cargo’s global network”.
In Chile, exports have traditionally included berries, stone fruits, grapes, seeds, fresh fish, wine and minerals; with imports focusing on vehicle parts and computing equipment.
The carrier added: “IAG Cargo’s offering of premium products, such as Constant Climate and Constant Fresh, ensures shippers and forwarders are able to transport sensitive goods across IAG Cargo’s extensive global network.”
