IAG Cargo has today announced that it will be launching a new four-times weekly route to Santiago, Chile starting from its winter 2016 schedule. Operated with a British Airways B787-9, the service will offer customers a weekly lift of up to 3,360 tonnes into Latin America.

The new route – IAG Cargo’s longest direct route – will make the airline the only carrier to fly direct from its London Heathrow (LHR) hub to Santiago International Airport (SCL).

“This new route adds to our expanding network in Latin America,” said Camilo Garcia, head of sales, at IAG Cargo, “with perishables and pharmaceutical goods being key export commodities for this region. Our next generation aircraft with temperature control in the hold ensures that our time and temperature sensitive products are delivered in optimum condition for our customers”.

”This new development augments IAG Cargo’s existing route into Santiago from Madrid, which helps to better connect our customers to the 350+ destinations on IAG Cargo’s global network,” he added.

In previous years, commodities such as vegetables, fruit and flowers have been key exports from Latin America. In Chile, one of Latin America’s most competitive economies, exports have traditionally included berries, stone fruits, grapes, seeds, fresh fish, wine and minerals; with imports focusing on vehicle parts and computing equipment.

From summer 2016, IAG Cargo will also operate new direct flights from Madrid to San Juan, Puerto Rico and from London Gatwick to San Jose, Costa Rica and Lima, Peru.