LATAM Airlines Group has taken a significant step to expand and renew its fleet by placing an order for over 120 new aircraft by 2030. The group will acquire new aircraft through agreements with Airbus and Boeing, and has also committed to leasing some of its existing aircraft.
The group has made progress in its cabin renewal process, working on new seats, in-flight entertainment systems, and design improvements. So far, 100% of the narrow-body fleet and 57% of the wide-body fleet have been renewed.
LATAM Group’s fleet has grown by 12% in the past two years, with 30 new aircraft being added directly from the factory starting in January 2023. The new aircraft, such as the Airbus NEO family and Boeing Dreamliner 787 models, are next-generation planes that consume about 20-25% less fuel, according to manufacturer data.
Additionally, the group recently announced the purchase of 10 more Boeing 787-9 aircraft. This purchase secures production capacity through 2030 and strengthens LATAM’s position as the largest operator of this aircraft model in Latin America.
Sebastián Acuto, LATAM Airlines Group’s Director of Fleet and Projects, stated, “In a global context of aircraft and parts shortages, we are successfully expanding and renewing our fleet efficiently. This ensures more people can fly to the region while also advancing LATAM’s progress toward net-zero emissions.”
The group also continues to offer free Wi-Fi service for LATAM Pass customers on domestic and regional flights with narrow-body aircraft. This service covers 100% of the fleet in Brazil and 75% of the fleets of subsidiaries in Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador.
The cargo fleet has also continued to grow. With the completion of the project to convert passenger aircraft into freighters, the number of cargo planes has reached 21. This expansion plan, initiated in 2021, has allowed the group to increase its cargo capacity by about 70% compared to 2019.
Currently, LATAM Airlines Group’s fleet consists of 347 aircraft: 56 Boeing wide-body passenger aircraft (models 767, 777, and 787), 268 Airbus narrow-body aircraft (models A319, A320, A320neo, A321, and A321neo), 2 short-term leased wide-body Airbus aircraft, and 21 cargo aircraft. As a result, the group expects a 15.1% increase in capacity in 2024 compared to 2023.
© AeroHaber.com / Mevlüt Zor
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