Chile stands out in the field of air exports, especially in perishable products, and in imports, in sectors such as retail, mining and the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry. Salmon occupies the largest volume in this field, since two thirds of its exports are made by air. Maersk connects air cargo of this product directly to its warehouses in the United States.

In the case of blueberries and cherries destined for India and the Middle East, air shipping plays a fundamental role as the opening of the season. In fact, Maersk recently made the first air shipment of Chilean cherries to Shanghai for Exportadora del Sur (XSUR). » We chose the Maersk service for our first shipment of cherries by air, and it was definitely the best option. We had traceability of our cargo every minute, and they were very efficient in managing the reservation and documentation," says Magdalena Toro, foreign trade specialist at XSUR.

For her part, Nathalia Sallas, Air Product Director at Maersk for the West Coast of South America, highlights that “including air cargo services is part of our strategy of offering end-to-end integrated solutions that adapt to the needs of our clients. . “We have established significant collaboration with key commercial airlines, allowing us to reach any destination and use various routes effectively.”

Importance of air cargo transportation 

According to data from Seabury Air Trade, in the first half of 2023, while the global volume of international air cargo decreased by 11,4% year-on-year, Latam's total trade volume grew by 3%, showing better results than the world average. in the same period.

The characteristics of the air cargo service play a fundamental role in the effectiveness of the supply chain, positioning itself as an essential alternative for the transfer of products. The speed inherent in shipping by air is highlighted by allowing extremely fast deliveries, taking goods from the production plant or warehouse to the destination country in a matter of hours. Additionally, air cargo ensures reliability by avoiding delays associated with port closures or congestion, thanks to strictly controlled departure and arrival times.

Visibility in air transport becomes a key priority for companies that choose this option to transport fragile or high-value cargo. Although advances in digitalization improve visibility services, air transport remains a leader in this aspect. Protection against tampering, theft or vandalism is inherent to air transport en route, which guarantees the security of the goods. In addition, its speed makes it easier to prevent damage compared to other modes of transportation.

Flexibility is also a significant advantage, as companies that opt ​​for air cargo have the ability to make last-minute adjustments to their shipments, add items and make changes more efficiently compared to other modes of transportation. Additionally, air freight's ability to accommodate shipments of all shapes and sizes, from small to oversized loads, provides valuable versatility for businesses, especially small and medium-sized ones, that do not require full-container cargo capabilities.