If there is any headline airfreight activity associated with Latin America, it has to be perishable traffic. In North America and Europe, it is fair to say that the bunch of flowers for the hostess, the vegetables and fresh seafood served to the guests and the fruits served in the dessert course, are likely to have been flown in from the region. For countries like Colombia, Ecuador and Chile, airfreight works to bring in foreign exchange from this perishable traffic to help the wider communities.
Another important traffic from this region, particularly Central American countries, is clothing and textiles. In fact, the people enjoying the Latam produce at the dinner party may be wearing clothes flown in from the region.
Airfreight shipments in the other direction into Latin America are vital for maintaining the flow of goods needed for various industries and consumer markets. The region’s growing economies and increasing demand for diverse products make airfreight an essential component of international trade logistics.
A significant portion of airfreight shipments to Latin America originates from the United States, given the strong trade relationships and proximity. Countries like Germany, the Netherlands and France are major exporters of machinery, pharmaceuticals and high-value goods to Latin America. China, Japan, and South Korea export electronics, machinery and consumer goods to Latin America. Intra-regional airfreight shipments are also common, particularly for perishable goods and industrial parts.
