LATAM makes special delivery of stem cells to Argentina

LATAM Cargo flight B767 and the crew, which took off from Viracopos International Airport (Brazil) to Ministro Pistarini International Airport (Buenos Aires), performed a special task of transporting cells in the airplane’s cabin on April 17. The aircraft arrived at Ezeiza, Argentina with the cells guarded by part of the crew team and the hope of saving the life of a patient suffering from myelodysplastic syndrome.

Freighter aircraft are currently the only ones enjoying more international freedom of transit due to their relevance to global supply chains. Hence, the ‘Solidary Plane’ program becomes an opportunity to contribute to vital cases like this one.

Therefore, after being contacted by the National Central Single Coordinator of Ablation and Implant Institute (INCUCAI), LATAM Cargo committed to transporting the stem cells. In order to accomplish this, a multidisciplinary team from LATAM Group—composed of more than 30 people—promptly planned the operation and crew training necessary for the transportation and manipulation of the stem cells.

This trip is part of the company’s Solidary Plane program, which has addressed health needs for 9 years in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Chile. The program facilitates the transportation of patients that require medical treatment, multidisciplinary health teams, organs, tissues, stem cells and medicine, as well as medical supplies.

“In a pandemic situation, freighter flights become more important than ever, and programs such as the Solidary Plane become hope. We are facing the largest crisis in our history, but we will make every effort possible so one of our flights can provide a person with a life opportunity”, stated Luis Eduardo Melnik, LATAM Cargo’s Captain, who flew the airplane carrying the stem cells.