Category Archives: LATAM Airlines (Ecuador)

LATAM group domestic operations to exceed pre-pandemic levels

LATAM group projects a passenger operation of 85% for January (measured in available seat kilometers – ASK) compared to the same period in 2019. The group expects to operate approximately 1,409 domestic and international daily flights during the month, connecting 144 destinations in 22 countries. In terms of cargo, the group has more than 1,590 flights scheduled.

At the group level, domestic operation data for January (Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru) exceeds the levels of the same period in 2019, with the exception of Chile whose recovery has been slower compared to the rest of the markets. In the case of cargo, the positive trend continues and accumulates a sixth consecutive month with a capacity projection above pre-pandemic data.

In December 2022, passenger traffic (measured in revenue passenger-kilometers – RPK) was 80.0% compared to the same period in 2019, based on an operation measured in ASK (available seat-kilometers) of 85.2% compared to December 2019. This implied that the load factor decreased 5.1 percentage points, reaching 78.4%.

In cargo, the load factor was 54.7%, which corresponds to a decrease of 2.6 percentage points compared to December 2019.

LATAM Group Operation Estimate – January 2023

(passenger operations measured in ASK / cargo operations measured in ATK)

Brazil ●      94% projected operation (versus January 2019). Reference December 2022 projection: 92%

    • 120% domestic and 71% international

●      Total destinations in January: 54 domestic and 21 international.
Chile ●      73% projected operation (versus January 2019). Reference December 2022 projection: 80%

    • 74% domestic and 73% international

●      Total destinations in January: 17 domestic and 27 international.
Colombia ●      113% projected operation (versus January 2019). Reference December 2022 projection: 113%

    • 130% domestic and 97% international

●      Total destinations in January: 17 domestic and 5 international.
Ecuador ●      75% projected operation (versus January 2019). Reference December 2022 projection: 73%

    • 143% domestic and 56% international

●      Total destinations in January: 8 domestic and 4 international.
Peru ●      85% projected operation (versus January 2019). Reference December 2022 projection: 83%

    • 122% domestic and 75% international

●      Total destinations in January: 19 domestic and 27 international.
Cargo ●      111% projected operation (versus January 2019). Reference December 2022 projection: 116%

o   94% belly domestic and 81% belly international*

o   192% dedicated freighter

*Belly: merchandise transported in the cargo hold (lower deck) of the aircraft.

Operation estimate by segment vs 2019 – January 2023

 (measured in ASK)

 

Domestic Spanish-speaking countries 83%
Domestic Brazil 120%
International 71%
Consolidated Total 85%

 

Note: Argentina’s domestic operations are considered in the 2019 operational statistics above; however, on June 17, 2020 LATAM announced the indefinite cessation of its domestic passenger and cargo operations in Argentina.

Top Copyright Photo: LATAM Airlines (Brazil) Airbus A320-271N WL PR-XBA (msn 8529) GRU (Rodrigo Cozzato). Image: 959882.

LATAM (Brazil) aircraft photo gallery:

LATAM approaches pre-pandemic levels and projects 85% of operation by the end of the year

The LATAM group projects an 85% passenger operation for December (measured in available seat kilometers – ASK) compared to the same period of 2019, confirming its estimate for the end of the year and approaching pre-pandemic operations levels. Thus, the group expects to operate approximately 1,370 domestic and international daily flights during the month, connecting 144 destinations in 22 countries. The cargo business, in turn, has more than 1,540 flights scheduled.

Among the novelties of the period is the reactivation of the seasonal route Santiago – Florianopolis and the start of the sale of emblematic routes that return in mid-2023, such as São Paulo (GRU)-Johannesburg, Brasília-Lima and Porto Alegre-Santiago. The Cargo division, meanwhile, accumulates five consecutive months with a capacity projection higher than the pre-pandemic numbers, with an estimate for this month of 116% compared to 2019 data.

In November 2022, passenger traffic (measured in revenue passenger-kilometers – RPK) was 82.4% compared to the same time period in 2019, based on an operation measured in ASK (available seat-kilometers) of 82.4% compared to October 2019. This suggests that the load factor remained at 82.6%.

For cargo, the load factor was 54.1%, corresponding to a decrease of 3.2 points compared to November 2019.

 

LATAM Group Operation Estimate – December 2022

(passenger operations measured in ASK / cargo operations measured in ATK)

 

Brazil ●      92% projected operation (versus December 2019). Reference November 2022 projection: 89%

o   98% domestic and 84% international

●      Total destinations in December: 54 domestic and 21 international.

o   Updates:

▪       International: Restart Florianopolis-Santiago seasonal route (5 w/f)
Chile ●      80% projected operation (versus December 2019). Reference November 2022 projection: 78%

o   77% domestic and 81% international

●      Total destinations in December: 17 domestic and 27 international.

o   Updates:

 

 

  ▪       International: Restart Florianópolis-Santiago seasonal route (5 w/f)
Colombia ●      113% projected operation (versus December 2019). Reference November 2022 projection: 110%

o   115% domestic and 110% international

●      Total destinations in December: 17 domestic and 5 international.
Ecuador ●      73% projected operation (versus December 2019). Reference November 2022 projection: 67%

o   131% domestic and 55% international

●      Total destinations in December: 8 domestic and 4 international.
Peru ●      83% projected operation (versus December 2019). Reference November 2022 projection: 79%

o   99% domestic and 78% international

●      Total destinations in December: 19 domestic and 27 international.
Cargo ●      116% projected operation (versus December 2019). Reference November 2022 projection: 105%

o   90% domestic and 92% international belly*

o   180% dedicated freighter

 

*Belly: merchandise transported in the lower deck of the aircraft.

 

Operation estimate by segment vs 2019 – December 2022

 (measure in ASK)

 

Domestic Spanish-speaking countries 80%
Domestic Brazil 98%
International 79%
Consolidated Total 85%

 

Note: Argentina’s domestic operations are included in the 2019 operational statistics above, however, on June 17, 2020 LATAM announced the indefinite cessation of its domestic passenger and cargo operations in Argentina

Top Copyright Photo: LATAM Airlines (Brazil) Airbus A320-214 PR-MYV (msn 5222) GRU (Rodrigo Cozzato). Image: 959644.

LATAM (Brazil) aircraft photo gallery:

LATAM projects operations of 83% for November and reaches 144 destinations, matching pre-pandemic levels

LATAM group projects passenger operations 83% for November (measured in available seat-kilometers – ASK) in comparison to the same time period in 2019 (in a pre-pandemic scenario) and maintains its projection to exceed 85% in terms of consolidated operational recovery by the end of the year. This month, the group will hit a major milestone in resuming to fly to the same number of destinations as it did prior to the Covid-19 pandemic in November 2019.

At the same time, the group restarted its routes of Curitiba-Santiago and Antofagasta-Lima, which solidified its regional network connectivity.

LATAM plans to operate approximately 1,347 daily national and international flights this month, connecting 144 destinations across 22 countries. Meanwhile, the cargo business has more than 1,500 flights scheduled. All these projections are subject to changes in the pandemic across the countries in which it operates.

In October 2022, passenger traffic (measured in revenue passenger-kilometers – RPK) was 82.8% compared to the same time period in 2019, based on an operation measured in ASK (available seat-kilometers) of 81.9% compared to October 2019. This suggests that the load factor increased  0.9%, reaching 83.3%.

For cargo, the load factor was 55.4%, corresponding to an increase of 0.7 points compared to September 2019.

LATAM Airlines Group Estimated Operations, November 2022

(passenger operations measured in ASK / cargo operations measured in ATK)

*Belly: merchandise transported in the cargo hold (lower deck) of the aircraft.

Operational Estimate by Segment vs. 2019 – November 2022

(measured in ASK)

Note: While Argentina’s domestic operations are considered in the 2019 operational statistics above, LATAM announced the indefinite cessation of its domestic passenger and cargo operations in Argentina on June 17, 2020.

Top Copyright Photo: LATAM Airlines (Brazil) Boeing 777-32W ER PT-MUE (msn 38886) AMS (Ton Jochems). Image: 950078.

LATAM Airlines (Brazil) aircraft photo gallery:

LATAM Group completes its restructuring, will increase its cargo fleet

LATAM Group, the leading airline group in Latin America, has announced that it successfully completed its financial restructuring process in the United States on November 3, which it voluntarily commenced in May 2020 to reduce its debt, access new sources of financing, and transform its business in response to the global pandemic. Having maintained its leading position while achieving significant cost savings, LATAM has emerged from the reorganization as a more efficient group, with a modernized fleet, the most extensive network of connections in South America, and the continent’s largest loyalty program.

With over US$2.2 billion of liquidity, approximately US$3.6 billion less debt on its balance sheet (equivalent to a 35% debt reduction from the pre-filing period), and the support of key incumbent and new shareholders, LATAM is poised to reaffirm its leadership in Latin America and has positioned itself for long-term sustainability.

LATAM group offers a unique value proposition:

  • Network: LATAM is the leading airline group in Latin America, with affiliates operating in five domestic markets in the region: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, as well as international operations within Latin America and to Europe, the United States and the Caribbean, Oceania and soon Africa, as LATAM Airlines Brazil will resume the Sao Paulo– Johannesburg route in mid-2023. The group reached 144 destinations in 22 countries as of October, and it expects to close the year with a global operation footprint (measured in Available Seat Kilometers, ASKs) of more than 85% compared to 2019. Between 2021 and 2022, the group added 10 new destinations in Brazil and plans to operate 36 new routes by 2023.
  • LATAM Cargo: LATAM Cargo and the cargo subsidiaries are in the midst of an expansion plan that will allow them to increase their respective fleets from 11 Boeing 767-300F aircraft in 2019 to a total of up to 20 767-300F aircraft in 2024, thereby improving transportation options for their respective customers.
  • Delta Joint Venture: Recently, LATAM group has implemented a joint venture with Delta that will allow passengers to access more than 300 destinations between the U.S./Canada and South America (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay). The joint venture agreement will enable the airlines to increase their level of cooperation in the aforementioned markets, resulting in a greater number of routes, more and better connections and the strengthening of frequent flyer program benefits.
  • Fleet: LATAM entered into agreements with Airbus to acquire by 2029 a total of 87 A320neo family aircraft, which are 20% more fuel efficient.
  • Frequent Flyer Program: With 39 million members, LATAM Pass is the largest loyalty program in South America and the seventh largest worldwide.

LATAM group’s track record, its leadership in Latin America and its robust business plan made it possible to complete its restructuring with the support of new prominent shareholders, including Sixth Street, Strategic Value Partners, and Sculptor Capital Management, and its incumbent strategic shareholders, Delta, Qatar and the Cueto family.

On November 15, 2022, an Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting (EGM) will be held to renew LATAM Airlines Group SA’s  Board of Directors.

Top Copyright Photo: LATAM Cargo (Colombia) Boeing 767-316F ER WL N532LA (msn 30780) AMS (Ton Jochems). Image: 952152.

LATAM Airlines (Colombia) aircraft slide show:

 

Joint venture approved between Delta and LATAM

Delta Air Lines has made this announcement:

The U.S. Department of Transportation granted final approval to the Joint Venture between Delta and LATAM, which will allow passengers to access more than 300 destinations between the US/Canada and South America (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay). 

Once implemented, the approval enables Delta and LATAM Airlines Group, LATAM Airlines Brasil, LATAM Airlines Colombia, LATAM Airlines Peru and LATAM Airlines Paraguay to begin the work of unlocking new customer and cargo benefits – including enhanced service and expanded route offerings – that will add to the codeshare routes and reciprocal loyalty benefits already in place. More details on the benefits of the partnership will be shared in the coming months.
From more routes to loyalty points, 5 ways Delta’s global partnerships can help youDelta has secured approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation for its new joint venture with LATAM – the largest airline in Latin America. So what does that mean for customers? Click through for five reasons why Delta partners with like-minded carriers around the world.

LATAM Group made this announcement:

Delta Air Lines and the LATAM Group will work closely to create the leading airline partnership between the United States/Canada and South America (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay) and connect the Americas to the world like never before with access to more than 300 destinations, after the United States Department of Transportation granted final approval to their Joint Venture.

Once implemented, the approval enables Delta and LATAM Airlines Group, LATAM Airlines Brasil, LATAM Airlines Colombia, LATAM Airlines Peru and LATAM Airlines Paraguay to begin the work of unlocking new customer and cargo benefits – including enhanced service and expanded route offerings – that will add to the codeshare routes and reciprocal loyalty benefits already in place. More details on the benefits of the partnership will be shared in the coming months.

LATAM implements changes in its Economy cabin and eliminates 75% of single-use plastics on board

LATAM Group has made this announcement:

  • This initiative is part of the group’s commitment to eliminate all single-use plastics in its operations by 2023.
  • The change in the materials of all onboard service elements in the Economy cabin eliminates1,200 tons of plastic.

LATAM has announced changes to its Economy cabin service that has allowed it to eliminate more than 1,200 tons of single-use plastics, equivalent to eliminating 36,000 500 ml plastic bottles. The new service seeks to implement a more sustainable cabin and considers important changes in the materiality of all items on board (cups, cutlery, trays), replacing them with more sustainable materials such as bamboo cutlery, reusable trays, kraft paper packaging for cutlery, and certified sustainable paper cups.

These changes have been implemented on all of LATAM group’s regional and long-haul routes, and are part of the group’s sustainability strategy, which aims to eliminate 100% of single-use plastics used in its operations by 2023.

“Caring for the planet is a challenge for everyone, and a necessary destination for LATAM, which is why we reviewed our services and identified nearly 1,800 tons of single-use plastic on board our international flights. Our teams got involved to redefine all details of our service, making a positive change for our customers, and also for our planet,” said Paulo Miranda, LATAM Airlines Group Vice President of Customers.

This new proposal is in addition to the changes made in the Premium Business cabin, which include the incorporation of reusable bags to cover rest items and eco travel kits for passengers, which include a bamboo toothbrush with a sugar cane lid, earplugs with packaging made of kraft paper and socks and eye covers made from recycled plastic.

LATAM Airlines (Brazil) aircraft photo gallery:

LATAM expects to reach 81% of operations in September and aims to end the year above 85%

LATAM group projects passenger operations of 81% for September (measured in available seat kilometers – ASK) compared to the same period in 2019 (in a pre-pandemic scenario), and projects to exceed 85% in terms of consolidated operational recovery for the close of 2022.

LATAM expects to operate approximately 1,290 daily domestic and international flights during September, connecting 142 destinations in 22 countries, and the group’s cargo business has scheduled more than 1,270 flights. These projections are subject to the evolution of the pandemic in the countries where the group operates.

In August 2022, passenger traffic (measured in revenue passenger-kilometers – RPK) was 80.9% compared to the same period in 2019, based on an operation measured in ASK (available seat-kilometers) of 81.8% compared to August 2019. As a result, the load factor decreased 0.9 percentage points, reaching 83.0%.

The load factor of cargo operations was 55.8%, which corresponds to an increase of 1.3 percentage points compared to August 2019.

LATAM Group Operational Estimate – September 2022

(Passenger operations measured in ASK / Cargo operations measured in ATK)

page1image21973648 page1image21973024

Brazil

● 89% projected operation (versus September 2019). August 2022 projection reference: 89%

● 103% domestic and 72% international
● Total September destinations: 54 domestic and 20 international.

Chile

● 70% projected operation (versus September 2019). August 2022 projection reference: 69%

● 74% domestic and 68% international
● Total September destinations: 16 domestic and 25 international.

Colombia

● 115% projected operation (versus September 2019). August 2022 projection reference: 109%

● 138% domestic and 88% international
● Total July destinations: 17 domestic and 5 international.

Ecuador

● 55% projected operation (versus September 2019). August 2022 projection reference: 51%

● 132% domestic and 31% international
● Total September destinations: 8 domestic and 3 international.

Perú

● 79% projected operation (versus September 2019). August 2022 projection reference: 78%

● 91% domestic and 74% international
● Total July destinations: 19 domestic and 26 international

Cargo

● 96% projected operation (versus September 2019). August 2022 projection reference: 100%

  • ●  68% domestic belly and 79% international belly*
  • ●  153% dedicated freighter

*Belly: mercancía transportada en la bodega de carga (lower deck) del avión.

Operational Estimate by Segment vs. 2019 – September 2022

(Measured in ASK)

page2image21682688

Domestic Spanish-speaking countries

81%

Domestic Brazil

103%

Internacional

68%

Consolidated Total

81%

Note: While Argentina’s domestic operations are considered in the 2019 operational statistics above, LATAM announced the indefinite cessation of its domestic passenger and cargo operations in Argentina on June 17, 2020.

LATAM Airlines (Chile) aircraft photo gallery:

LATAM Airlines Ecuador resumes the Quito – Miami route

LATAM Airlines Ecuador has resumed its direct route between Quito – Miami with daily flights.

This route is served by Airbus A320 aircraft, with capacity for 168 passengers. According to the itinerary, flights are scheduled to operate on the following schedule:

ROUTE FLIGHT DAY OF WEEK DEPARTURE ARRIVAL
UIO-MIA LA 1454 Daily 08:30 h 12:45
MIA-UIO LA 1453 Daily 14:35 h 18:55

(*) Reference timetable

LATAM projects to reach 81% operation in August with a challenging regional reactivation environment

LATAM Group projects a passenger operation of 81% for August (measured in available seat kilometers – ASK) compared to the same period in 2019 (pre-pandemic scenario). In the domestic markets, while Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, and Colombia exceeded pre-pandemic levels, Chile is the one with the least recovery, reaching only 76%.

This month, the group plans the resumption of the emblematic route between Santiago de Chile and Easter Island/Rapa Nui, and the start of operations between São Paulo/Guarulhos and Presidente Prudente. LATAM group’s cargo operations are expected to reach pre-pandemic levels of capacity (measured in ATKs) during August, with the progressive fleet expansion to continue during the next few months.

LATAM expects to operate approximately 1249 daily domestic and international flights during August, connecting 135 destinations in 22 countries.

The group’s cargo business has scheduled more than 1,280 flights on cargo freighters. These projections are subject to the evolution of the pandemic in the countries where the group operates.

In July 2022, passenger traffic (measured in revenue passenger-kilometers – RPK) was 77.8% in relation to the same period in 2019, based on an operation of 79.7% compared to July 2019 (measured in ASK – available seat kilometers.) As a result, the load factor decreased 2.1 percentage points, reaching 82.4%.

The load factor of cargo operations was 54.9%, which corresponds to an increase of 2.0 percentage points compared to July 2019.

LATAM Group Operational Estimate – August 2022

(Passenger operations measured in ASK / Cargo operations measured in ATK)

page1image29233632 page1image29237168

Brazil

● 89% projected operation (versus August 2019). July 2022 projection reference: 88%

● 107% domestic and 69% international
● Total August destinations: 54 domestic (equivalent to 622 daily flights on

average) and 20 international

● Updates:
o Domestic: New São Paulo/Guarulhos-Presidente Prudente route (7

flights/week)

Chile
  • ●  69% projected operation (versus August 2019). July 2022 projection reference: 67%
  • ●  76% domestic and 66% international
  • ●  Total August destinations: 15 domestic (equivalent to 115 daily flights on

    average) and 25 international

    ● Updates:

● Domestic: Restart Santiago de Chile – Easter Island/Rapa Nui route

(2 flights/week)

Colombia

● 109% projected operation (versus August 2019). July 2022 projection reference: 107%

● 132% domestic and 83% international
● Total August destinations: 17 domestic (equivalent to 185 daily flights on

average) and 5 international

Ecuador

● 51% projected operation (versus August 2019). July 2022 projection reference: 50%

● 134% domestic and 29% international
● Total August destinations: 8 domestic (equivalent to 43 daily flights on

average) and 3 international

Peru

● 78% projected operation (versus August 2019). July 2022 projection reference: 76%

● 90% domestic and 73% international
● Total August destinations: 19 domestic (equivalent to 173 daily flights on

average) and 26 international

Cargo

● 100% projected operation (versus August 2019). July 2022 projection reference: 96%

  • ●  74% domestic belly and 81% international belly*
  • ●  157% dedicated freighter

*Belly: merchandise transported in the cargo hold (lower deck) of the aircraft.

Operational Estimate by Segment vs. 2019 – August 2022

(Measured in ASK)

Note: While Argentina’s domestic operations are considered in the 2019 operational statistics above, LATAM announced the indefinite cessation of its domestic passenger and cargo operations in Argentina on June 17, 2020.

LATAM Airlines (Chile) aircraft photo gallery:

LATAM commits to eliminating all single-use plastics by 2023

LATAM AIrlines Group made this announcement:

●  Among the initiatives to be implemented is a change in the materials of all onboard service elements in the Economy cabin, which will eliminate more than 1,000 tons of single-use plastics.

● Travel kits with more sustainable elements have also been incorporated in Premium Business cabins, and bags for blankets and rest items are gradually being replaced.

LATAM has announced that it will eliminate 100% of single-use plastics used in its operations by 2023. This commitment will be achieved through initiatives such as changing onboard materials, incorporating more sustainable elements, and with the group’s recycling and reuse programs.

To date, gradual changes have been implemented inside the aircraft. From June 1, all international flights have reusable bags to cover the rest items in the Premium Business cabin. New travel kits were also recently launched for passengers in Premium Business, which have more sustainable elements such as bamboo toothbrushes and kraft paper wrappers.

In the Economy cabin, important changes will be announced in the coming weeks in the materials used for all elements of service (glasses, cutlery, tableware), which will be replaced with reusable and/or recyclable materials. In the short term, this initiative will eliminate more than 1,000 tons of single-use plastics, equivalent to 36,000 500ml plastic bottles.

LATAM Cargo is implementing five pilot projects, expected to reduce the use of plastic in cargo operations by more than 60%. One of the most important projects is an initiative that aims to replace the plastic used for wrapping loads with reusable blankets or waterproof covers.

In addition, LATAM is focusing on recycling and reusing. On domestic flights in Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador, LATAM is operating the “Recycle Your Trip” program, through which cabin crews separate plastic and aluminum onboard. In Colombia, this separation takes place on the ground. The group, together with women entrepreneurs and partner organizations, continues to operate its uniform reuse program in Peru, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Brazil, giving a second life to employee uniforms.

These initiatives are part of LATAM’s sustainability strategy, goals of which include achieving zero waste to landfill by 2027, offsetting 50% of domestic emissions by 2030, and reaching carbon neutrality by 2050.