E-commerce Growth Reshapes Latin American Air Cargo Routes

LATAM Cargo CEO Andrés Bianchi said stronger e-commerce volumes have coincided with declining shipments of some other commodities, including auto parts and mining equipment. He described the export sector as performing well, while explaining that changes in the mix of goods have left the regional air cargo balance uneven.

Key details

• Avianca Cargo CEO Diogo Elias described e-commerce as the carrier’s largest southbound cargo category and its fastest-growing one, particularly on flights from Miami to Colombia.
• Avianca Cargo carries e-commerce shipments to Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Central America and Venezuela, and has resumed freighter operations from Miami to Venezuela.
• The carrier said about 90% of its South American cargo arriving in Miami comes from five main origins; its Miami network serves more than 30 destinations.
• Elias identified Madrid as Avianca Cargo’s main European hub and its principal gateway for Chinese e-commerce shipments bound for South America.
• Atlas Air executive Martin Drew said the company was operating three weekly flights from China to Lima as e-commerce platforms redirected shipments toward new or expanded markets.
• Bianchi said currency appreciation and minimum-wage increases raised Colombian exporters’ labor costs in dollar terms by an estimated 40% to 45% over the preceding year.

LATAM Cargo CEO Andrés Bianchi estimated Colombian exporters’ labor costs in dollar terms rose 40% to 45% over the preceding year.

Why it matters

The mix of goods moving through Latin American cargo networks affects how airlines deploy freighters and connect markets. Avianca Cargo’s Miami network links South American origins with destinations across the region, while Madrid provides a route for Chinese e-commerce shipments. Bianchi also said e-commerce faces regulatory changes that can require different risk-management planning from other cargo categories.