In a significant development for global air cargo logistics, two major players-Cargojet and LATAM Cargo-have launched strategic expansions of their freighter routes between the Americas and Europe, responding to robust e-commerce demands and evolving trade patterns.
Cargojet's European Debut with Liège Connection
Cargojet, Canada's leading air cargo carrier, has officially launched scheduled direct air cargo service between Canada and Europe, with its first flight operating on November 1, 2025 .
The weekly service connects Canada's major cargo hubs with Liège Airport (LGG) in Belgium, strategically selected as it's recognized as "one of Europe's very best cargo hubs" according to Torsten Wefers, VP Marketing & Sales at Liège Airport .
The co-CEOs of Cargojet, Pauline Dhillon and Jamie Porteous, emphasized in a joint statement that this move "strengthens the ties between Canada and Europe while expanding opportunities for our customers" . By leveraging their industry-leading on-time performance record, Cargojet aims to be "at the centre of transatlantic trade" .
- Key operational details of the new service include:
- Weekly frequency (initially one flight per week) with plans to increase as demand grows
- Full integration with Cargojet's domestic overnight network in Canada
- Utilization of Boeing 767 freighter aircraft for the transatlantic route
This expansion is particularly notable as Cargojet has previously served European markets only through charter operations. The new scheduled service represents a significant milestone in the company's global network strategy .
LATAM Cargo's Strategic Capacity Boost
Meanwhile, LATAM Cargo has substantially increased its capacity between South America and Europe, expanding to 15 weekly flights-a 25% capacity increase on these routes .
The airline group has deployed its Boeing 767-300F freighter fleet to service this expansion, with several strategic route developments:
A new São Paulo-to-Brussels route with three weekly flights (increasing to five weekly in December), including a stop in Recife, Brazil, to facilitate mango exports to European markets
A direct cargo route from Brussels to São José dos Campos in Brazil, currently operating once weekly with plans to increase to twice weekly during winter
Doubled capacity between Europe and Argentina by adding two flights on the Brussels-Buenos Aires route
Andrés Bianchi, CEO of LATAM Cargo Group, commented on the expansion: "In a challenging and constantly changing global environment, we continue to focus on strategic markets, reinforcing those routes that allow us to provide a differential reliable service" .
Market Implications and Future Outlook
These parallel expansions by leading cargo airlines highlight several key industry trends:
- E-commerce driven demand: Both companies are responding to increased need for cross-border shipping capabilities, particularly between American and European markets .
- Specialized cargo handling: The strategic stop in Recife on LATAM's new Brazil-Europe route specifically addresses perishables transport (mango exports), while the São José dos Campos route serves industrial products, auto parts, and consumer goods .
- Network integration: Cargojet's emphasis on integrating the new transatlantic route with its domestic Canadian network exemplifies the industry's focus on creating seamless logistics solutions .
The timing of these expansions coincides with projections for continued growth in the transatlantic air cargo market through 2030, though companies remain mindful of potential macroeconomic challenges such as tariff changes that could impact margin resilience .
For businesses engaged in transatlantic trade, these developments mean more shipping options, improved reliability, and potentially competitive pricing as capacity increases on these critical trade corridors between the Americas and Europe.
