LATAM Cargo's Europe–Brazil pharma freight rises 150%

LATAM Cargo reported a 150% rise in pharmaceutical transport between Europe and Brazil in January–July 2026 compared with the same period in 2025. GLP-1-based pharmaceuticals, used to treat type 2 diabetes, accounted for approximately 15% of the carrier's total cargo volume between European origins and Brazilian destinations. Across both directions, LATAM Cargo moved nearly 32,000 tonnes in the seven-month period, a 27% overall increase year on year.

General and consolidated cargo remained the backbone of volumes, representing about 75% of total freight. Key commodities included industrial automation equipment, heavy mining machinery, textiles and bulk commodities. For pharmaceuticals, including temperature-sensitive GLP-1 treatments, LATAM Cargo uses continuous temperature monitoring, climate-controlled rooms, cargo segregation, thermal insulation blankets and protocols to minimise ramp exposure; for active containers it requires ground power connections and monitoring of battery levels and interior temperatures.

Transatlantic operations are supported by a dedicated CEIV Pharma Hub at Miami International Airport, with climate-controlled chambers and areas for handling, charging and storing active pharmaceutical containers. Main European origins included Germany, Belgium, Spain and Italy, followed by the Netherlands and France. Key belly trade lanes were Lisbon–São Paulo, Madrid–São Paulo and Frankfurt–São Paulo; freighter corridors included Frankfurt–Viracopos and Brussels–Viracopos. New passenger services linked Brussels and Amsterdam to São Paulo, and a new freighter route connected Brussels with São José dos Campos.

LATAM Cargo connects Brazil to more than 15 countries through a combined freighter and passenger network covering over 70 origin and destination points. According to Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC), LATAM held a 40.9% share of domestic belly cargo on passenger aircraft in July 2026, leading that segment since April 2025.