Cargo airline arrivals and departures across the Americas since 2020

August 18, 2025

A list of cargo-only airlines in the Americas that have commenced or ceased operations from 2020 onwards reflects the dynamic progress and significant shifts that have occurred in the regional air cargo sector since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This period has brought substantial changes in demand, logistics, and airline strategy, leading to the rise of new operators and the closure of others. These developments highlight the evolving nature of air freight services in the Americas, driven by global supply chain challenges, e-commerce growth, and changes in international trade patterns during and after the pandemic.

Started since 2020

7Air Cargo (USA)

• Base: Miami, Florida – positioned to serve Central America and Caribbean routes efficiently

• Aircraft: 3 × Boeing 737 800BCF freighters

• About: Founded September 16, 2020 by Xtreme Aviation; FAA Part 121 certificate issued June 2025 with maiden test in January 2025. Offers ACMI and charter services supported by in house MRO. Targets specialised and e commerce cargo across the Americas and beyond.

Levu Air Cargo (Brazil)

• Base: Recife/Guararapes Gilberto Freyre International Airport, Pernambuco – to tap into rising Brazilian demand and domestic international feeder routes

• Aircraft: planned four Airbus converted freighters (A321 200PCF and A330 300P2F)

• About: Founded May 2022, launched website in April 2024 outlining plans for domestic Brazilian routes plus international services to Colombia, USA and Europe. Targeting near shoring cargo flows and domestic capacity growth.

Ceased operations since 2020

ASAS Linhas Aéreas (Brazil)

• Base: São José dos Campos, São Paulo – aimed at Brazilian domestic market

• Aircraft: one Boeing 727 200F (reg PR IOC)

• About: Founded in mid 2020 by ex Varig/VASP staff; never carried cargo commercially. Delayed certification with ANAC and heavy maintenance kept the sole 727 grounded throughout 2021. The venture remained inactive and is classified as ceased.

LAS Cargo (Líneas Aéreas Suramericanas, Colombia)

• Base: Bogotá (El Dorado Airport) – long established Colombian cargo hub

• Aircraft: one Boeing 737 400SF at time of closure

• About: Operating since 1972, LAS Cargo expanded fleet with B727s, B737 300SF and 400SF. Due to mounting debt ($17 million), it suspended operations in July 2023 under restructuring. Legacy of regional Latin American cargo service ended.

Vensecar Internacional (Venezuela)

• Base: Caracas (Simón Bolívar Airport) – served Caribbean and Central American DHL routes

• Aircraft: one ATR 42 320F (sole remaining in service)

• About: Founded 1996, half owned by DHL, operated scheduled freight in Caribbean and Central America. Financial and operational challenges led to cessation on June 11, 2025. Known for operating aging ATR on DHL contracts.

Trans Am Aero Express del Ecuador (DHL Ecuador)

• Base: Guayaquil (José Joaquín de Olmedo Airport) – national DHL Ecuador operations

• Aircraft: formerly ATR 42, Boeing 727 200, Falcon 20, Metroliner

• About: Established 1991 as DHL Ecuador, served domestic and Panama connecting cargo. Ceased operations around 17 July 2025, shutting down all flights. Ended longstanding DHL affiliated Ecuadorian cargo carrier.

James Graham

James Graham is an award-winning transport media journalist with a long background in the commercial freight sector, including commercial aviation and the aviation supply chain. He was the initial Air Cargo Week journalist and retuned later for a stint as editor. He continues his association as editor of the monthly supplements. He has reported for the newspaper from global locations as well as the UK.