Santiago-based Lan Cargo, the all-cargo unit of Lan Airlines, will incorporate two new Boeing 777 aircraft into its cargo fleet.

The aircraft will commence operations for the Chilean-flag carrier during the first quarter of 2009. Furthermore, the company is negotiating for two more 777 freighters that will join the fleet by 2011.

A company statement said Lan Cargo will be the first company in Latin America to operate the 777 freighter, which has a freight capacity of 104 tons and can travel up to 8,741 kilometres.

Lan Airlines, with 68 passenger aircraft and 10 dedicated freighters, sees itself as the leading airlines in Latin America. It includes Lan Airlines, Lan Express, Lan Peru, Lan Ecuador, and Lan Argentina, as well as Lan Cargo and its affiliates.