IAG Cargo looks ahead to returning South America flights

IAG Cargo will offer capacity on two flights from sister carrier Iberia’s passenger operation between Madrid Barajas Airport and Caracas in Venezuela and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

The returning flights will start in November and will operate three times a week. The service to Caracas will utilise the bellyhold of an Iberia A350 aircraft and an A330-200 will be used to Rio de Janeiro.

IAG Cargo said the flights would facilitate the movement of perishables and popular foods grown locally including flowers, papayas, mangos, and figs.

“Every year IAG Cargo transports large volumes of perishables out of Central and South America to European markets, via its Constant Fresh service, designed to optimise shelf life using aircraft hold temperature settings monitored closely throughout the flight,” the carrier said.

The additional services come as Iberia continues to resume operations that were suspended due to Covid.

Iberia recently announced a return to pre-pandemic levels and has re-established its entire network of flights and destinations in Latin America.

Rodrigo Casal, regional commercial manager for Latin America at IAG Cargo, said: “The revival of these services will have a great impact on the economy and livelihoods in both Caracas and Rio de Janeiro, as exporting food and perishables plays a huge part in their economies.

“When it comes to transporting perishables – air cargo plays a vital role, ensuring products arrive on supermarket shelves in the same condition as harvest.”

IAG Cargo’s hub at Madrid airport handles over 200,000 tonnes of cargo every year.

The Madrid hub is also an important gateway for Spanish textile manufacturers for transportation into the Americas.

Last month, the cargo business announced the return of flights between Dublin and Miami.