By Maria Kalamatas | July 31, 2025

Santiago, July 31 — In the middle of Chile’s peak avocado season, exporters are scrambling to move fresh fruit to Europe and North America before it loses its sheen. This year, they’re doing it differently. Several producers have begun using a new generation of hybrid cargo aircraft, machines that blend conventional gas turbines with electric propulsion to cut fuel costs while still meeting strict delivery deadlines.

For growers, it’s about staying competitive as airfreight rates climb and buyers tighten sustainability requirements. “Every hour matters when your fruit has to be on supermarket shelves within three days,” said Juan Rodriguez, export director at Frutshima, one of Chile’s largest avocado shippers. “These aircraft not only move our produce faster but also trim emissions, which is what our European clients expect now.”

Early flights between Santiago and Frankfurt began in late June. The hybrid freighters, each capable of carrying about 30 metric tons, are already running at 85 percent load factors despite the higher charter rates. The operators claim each flight emits roughly 18 percent less CO₂ than a comparable conventional freighter, a statistic buyers have been quick to highlight in their marketing.

If the trials continue to prove viable, Chilean exporters say they plan to expand the program to other agricultural corridors across South America by 2026, covering mango, berry, and grape shipments as well.

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