Delta Cargo expands South American footprint amid global trade shifts

Delta Cargo is expanding its presence in South America as shifting trade dynamics. Delta Cargo is reinforcing its position is South America through a strategic collaboration with LATAM Cargo Colombia, as global trade realignments particularly reduced air cargo flows between China and the U.S. due to tariff disputes reshape logistics priorities. The partnership aligns with a shared commercial strategy to broaden network reach across Latin America, a region gaining significance as supply chains diversify and adapt to new trade dynamics. 

In parallel, Delta Air Lines has also announced a new strategic alliance with IndiGo, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic, aimed at boosting connectivity between India, Europe, and North America. While this memorandum of understanding (MoU) primarily focuses on passenger services, it leaves open the possibility of future collaboration in air cargo.

Amid industry-wide pressures including tightening U.S. de minimis thresholds and shifting trade routes Delta’s belly hold-only cargo model has helped insulate it from the volatility faced by freighter operators. This model has supported steady performance, with the carrier delivering a strong first half of 2024.

Delta Cargo posted a 14% year-on-year revenue increase in 2024, rising to $822 million from $723 million in 2023. The company remains optimistic for continued growth and stability in the remainder of the year.