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LATAM Cargo to Triple Bogotá Terminal Capacity in Major Perishables Freight Expansion
By MGN Editorial•November 11, 2026 at 06:00 PM
LATAM Airlines Group has announced plans to build and self-finance a new cargo terminal at Bogotá's El Dorado International Airport, tripling existing workspace and significantly boosting Colombia's flower export capacity.
## LATAM Cargo to Triple Bogotá Terminal Capacity in Major Perishables Freight Expansion
LATAM Airlines Group has announced a significant infrastructure investment at El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá, Colombia, with plans to construct and self-finance a new cargo terminal that will triple the carrier's existing operational workspace at the facility, according to FreightWaves.
The expansion is a central pillar of a broader cargo upgrade strategy for the airline group, with a primary focus on accelerating the processing of perishable goods — most notably Colombia's world-renowned cut flower exports. Colombia is the second-largest flower exporter globally, and Bogotá's El Dorado serves as the primary gateway for the country's multi-billion-dollar floriculture industry.
### Faster Processing, Greater Throughput
The new terminal is designed to deliver faster handling of both import and export shipments, reducing dwell times for time-sensitive cargo such as fresh flowers, which require rapid cold-chain processing to maintain quality during transit. By tripling available workspace, LATAM Cargo expects to meaningfully increase its throughput capacity at one of Latin America's busiest air cargo hubs.
The investment underscores growing demand for reliable air freight capacity serving Latin American agricultural exporters, particularly as global appetite for Colombian flowers continues to expand across North American and European markets. Peak periods such as Valentine's Day and Mother's Day place enormous strain on existing cargo infrastructure, making the additional capacity strategically significant.
### Strategic Significance for Regional Air Freight
For the broader air cargo sector, the announcement signals continued confidence in Latin American trade corridors despite ongoing global freight market volatility. LATAM's decision to self-finance the terminal — rather than rely on airport authority or third-party developer funding — reflects the airline group's commitment to controlling its own cargo infrastructure and service quality.
The project is part of what LATAM describes as a wider plan to upgrade its cargo operations across the region, positioning the group to compete more aggressively for high-value, time-critical freight business.
Further details on the construction timeline and projected completion date are expected to be disclosed as the project advances.
*Source: FreightWaves*
#air cargo#LATAM Cargo#perishables#cold chain logistics#Colombia#Latin America freight#cargo terminal#flower exports#airport infrastructure
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