LATAM Brasil plans Buenos Aires–Bogota service from 15DEC16

LATAM Airlines Brasil in recent schedule update has filed preliminary schedule for planned Buenos Aires Ezeiza – Bogota route, currently displaying 5 weekly flights from 15DEC16. Based on preliminary listing, the airline would operate Boeing 767 aircraft on this route.

Reservation for this route is currently not available.

JJ8012 EZE1310 – 1735BOG 763 x35
JJ8013 BOG1855 – 0315+1EZE 763 x35

Routesonline

LATAM Chile resumes Santiago de Chile-Orlando flights from 04JAN17

LATAM Airlines Chile in the first quarter of 2017 is resuming operation on Santiago de Chile – Orlando route, operating twice a week. The oneWorld member last served this route in Jan/Feb 2012 and 2013.

This route will be served from 04JAN17 to 01MAR17, with a mix of Boeing 787-8 and -9 aircraft.

LA510 SCL0030 – 0720MCO 789 3
LA510 SCL0030 – 0720MCO 787 4

LA511 MCO1015 – 2055SCL 789 3
LA511 MCO1015 – 2055SCL 787 4

Routesonline

LATAM ends Sao Paulo-Toronto -via JFK- route

LATAM Airlines Brasil is ending service to Canada, as the oneWorld member closed reservation for Toronto service, for travel on/after 01OCT16. The carrier currently operates Sao Paulo Guarulhos – New York JFK – Toronto routing twice a week, with Boeing 767 aircraft. 

Existing schedule as follow.

JJ8102 GRU2205 – 0710+1JFK1110+1 – 1255+1YYZ 763 24
JJ8103 YYZ1550 – 1745JFK2150 – 0900+1GRU 763 35

Overall frequencies on Sao Paulo – New York sector remains unchanged at 10 weekly level for the month of October 2016.

Routesonline

Photo News: Rwand Air new A330-200 & First LATAM Airbus A350

LATAM Airlines announced the domestic routes of A320neo

LATAM Airlines Brasil has announced that it will use its maiden A320neo, due from Airbus Industrie later this quarter, to operate domestic Brazilian flights initially.

The LATAM Airlines Group unit said in a statement that it would use PT-TMN (cn 7126) to service the following destinations: Brasilia, São Paulo Guarulhos, São Paulo Congonhas, Rio de Janeiro Int'l, Curitiba, Porto Alegre, Belo Horizonte Tancredo Neves, Salvador, Florianopolis, Belém, Vitória, Recife, Goiania, Joao Pessoa, Cuiabá, Campo Grande, Porto Seguro, Campinas Viracopos, and Natal Augusto Severo.

Particular focus will be placed on trunk routes from São Paulo Guarulhos to Recife and Salvador, it said. 

LATAM Airlines Brasil is slated to take delivery of twenty-two A320neo in total.

ch-aviation.com

Qatar buys 10% of shares of LATAM

Qatar Airways has reached an agreement to buy up to 10% of shares in Latin America's main airline group LATAM, which will be bought in connection with a capital increase.

LATAM will hold an extraordinary shareholders meeting no later than September 2 to propose a US$613 million capital increase through the issuance of new shares at $10 each.

Both Qatar and LATAM are members of the oneworld alliance, of which British Airways and Iberia parent IAG is also a member.

"LATAM represents an exciting opportunity to invest and support the development of our long-term relationship. As a leading airline in Latin America, and key member of oneworld, this investment provides potential opportunities for Qatar Airways' global network, alongside our successful investment in IAG," said His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways group chief executive.

"We are proud to announce Qatar Airways as a new shareholder of LATAM, reaffirming our bond as existing members of the oneworld alliance.

"This investment recognises LATAM's achievements and supports our project for the future. In addition to strengthening our financial position, it will allow us to explore new opportunities for connectivity with Asia and the Middle East, as well as other potential areas of cooperation," said Enrique Cueto, CEO of LATAM.

The companies expect the transaction to be completed within the fourth quarter of the year.

Travelmole

LATAM Plans Dreamliner Service to Uruguay in winter 2016/17

LATAM Airlines Chile at the launch of Northern winter 2016/17 season plans to introduce Boeing 787 operations to Uruguay, as the airline scheduled one weekly flight with the Dreamliner. From 30OCT16 to 04DEC16, Sundays LA902/903 Santiago de Chile – Montevideo service to be operated by Boeing 787-9, and switches to -8 from 11DEC16.

LA902 SCL1000 – 1215MVD 787 7
LA903 MVD1335 – 1605SCL 787 7

The oneWorld member operates this route 16 – 18 times a week, pending on operational period.

Routesonline

LATAM Peru Adds new route to Barcelona from Dec 2016

LATAM Airlines Peru from mid-December 2016 is launching new service to Europe, as the airline gradually opened reservation on Lima – Barcelona route. This route will be served 3 times a week from 15DEC16, subject to Government Approval. Planned schedule as follow.

LA2430 LIM1925 – 1405+1BCN 763 146
LA2431 BCN2355 – 0745+1LIM 763 257

Operational schedule varies for LA2430 on selected dates.

Routesonline

LATAM Brasil Plans A350 Sao Paulo-Chile in 2017

LATAM Airlines Brasil starting 26MAR17 plans to begin Airbus A350-900XWB operations to Chile, operating on Sao Paulo Guarulhos – Santiago de Chile route, once a day. The A350 operates on JJ8026/8027, replacing 777-300ER.

JJ8026 GRU0805 – 1210SCL 350 D
JJ8032 GRU1240 – 1700SCL 320 x467
JJ8028 GRU2055 – 0110+1SCL 320 D

JJ8029 SCL0800 – 1150GRU 320 D
JJ8027 SCL1645 – 2045GRU 350 D
JJ8033 SCL2120 – 0105+1GRU 320 x467

Routesonline

LATAM Airlines reveals their first A320neo

Latin America’s leading airline group to become first A320neo operator in South America

The first A320neo for LATAM Airlines Group rolled out of the Airbus Final Assembly Line in Toulouse after the installation of Pratt & Whitney Pure Power PW1100-JM engines, revealing the airline’s new coral and indigo livery. The aircraft will continue through the next stages of production, including completion of cabin furnishing, ground and flight tests. The aircraft is scheduled for delivery to LATAM Airlines Group in the near future.

LATAM Airlines Brasil will become the first airline in South America to fly the A320neo.  The airline group was the first A320neo customer in Latin America and has more than 250 Airbus planes in operation. 

The A320neo Family incorporates latest technologies including new generation engines and Sharklet wing tip devices, which together deliver more than 15 percent in fuel savings from day one and 20 percent by 2020 with further cabin innovations.

The A320neo Family is the world’s best-selling single aisle product line with over 4,500 orders from 83 customers since its launch in 2010 capturing almost 60 percent share of the market. Thanks to their widest cabin, all members of the A320neo Family offer unmatched comfort in all classes and Airbus’ 18” wide seats in economy as standard. To date, nine A320neo aircraft have been delivered to three customers.

Airbus Press release

LATAM A321 at Porto Alegre on Jul 12th 2016, main gear rolls over mechanic

A LATAM Brazil Airbus A321-200, registration PT-MXC performing flight JJ-3295/LA-8429 (dep Jul 11th) from Sao Paulo Guarulhos,SP to Porto Alegre,RS (Brazil), had completed an uneventful flight and was parked at the gate at Porto Alegre, the passengers had disembarked and the cargo had been unloaded. The aircraft was about to be repositioned for its next flight at about 04:00L (07:00Z) about 3.5 hours after landing, a ground mechanic was positioned near the left main gear, another mechanic was on board of the aircraft, when tower approved push back. The push back commenced taking the mechanic on the ground at surprise, the left main gear rolled over the man and separated his left leg in its entirety. The mechanic was rushed to hospital, however, medics attempting to save the life of the mechanic had to pronounce the mechanic dead.

The aircraft was able to depart for its next flight JJ-3297 almost on schedule about 2 hours later.

Police reported that the victim (34) was positioned on the ground together with an assistant, who was to tow the aircraft. When tower approved the push back, the mechanic on board of the aircraft was to check with the mechanic on the ground, the assistant however understood he had the clear signal already and began to push the aircraft. The occurrence appears to be an accident as result of miscommunication.

The airport reported that the mechanic on board of the aircraft had received the push back clearance and was about to communicate with the ground mechanic, who then was to signal the assistant the clear to push. However, the assistant believed he already had the clear to push and commenced push back.

The Aviation Herald

Qatar Airways plans to buy a stake in Latam Airlines

Qatar will buy as much as 10 percent of Santiago, Chile-based Latam, it said Tuesday at the Farnborough Air Show, with South America’s biggest carrier planning a capital increase of $613 million in order to facilitate the deal.

Qatar Air became closer to Latam after joining the Oneworld alliance and taking a 15 percent stake in British Airways owner IAG, which is forming a revenue- and cost-sharing pact with the Chilean airline. Taking a stake will cement those ties as the Gulf operator seeks to funnel more passengers via its Doha hub.

“Latam represents an exciting opportunity,” Qatar’s chief executive officer, Akbar Al Baker, said at the briefing, adding that the planned investment will open up links with its global network.

Capital Increase

To open the door to Qatar, Latam plans to increase its capital by issuing new stock at $10 a share. The company, which was formed through a merger of Chile’s Lan and Brazilian operator TAM in 2012, will be put the proposal to its investors by Sept. 2.

Qatar has been building a network of international partners. It built up its stake in IAG via a series of share purchases and is also interested in Royal Air Maroc, which would give access to North African markets, as well as Italy’s Meridiana SpA. Talks with Meridiana have been complicated by union opposition to job cuts. Al Baker said Tuesday that Qatar is prepared to walk away from the deal as it “will not accept blackmail by staff.”

Qatar Airways said Monday it more than quadrupled net income to 1.6 billion Riyals ($439 million) in the 12 months through March, with growth to be led by Africa and India. The airline also sees “strong underlying” demand in South America and China.

Latam is faring less well, with a slump in Brazilian traffic likely to force it to delay or cancel some of the 53 wide-body jet orders placed by the company’s constituent units before its formation, CEO Enrique Cueto said last month. He said Tuesday that the airline was “very proud” to partner with Qatar Airways.

Skift

LATAM B788 near Madrid on Jun 29th 2016, fumes in cabin

A LATAM Boeing 787-800, registration CC-BBH performing flight LA-705 from Frankfurt/Main (Germany) to Madrid,SP (Spain), was descending towards Madrid when the crew reported fumes in the cabin. The aircraft continued for a safe landing on Madrid's runway 32R.

The aircraft remained on the ground for about 5:20 hours then continued the flight for the next sector to Santiago (Chile).

The airline reported it was believed there were gasses coming from the cargo hold caused the delay. However, no gasses were detected and the aircraft was released to continue the flight without further detection of fumes.

Incident: LATAM B788 near Madrid on Jun 29th 2016, fumes in cabin

LATAM Brazil Files A350 Milan Schedule from Sep 2016 :: Routesonline

LATAM Airlines Brazil in last week’s schedule update has filed operational schedule for Sao Paulo Guarulhos – Milan Malpensa route, effective 20SEP16. Reservation for this daily service, appears to be replacing LATAM Airlines (LA) operation, is currently not available.

Planned schedule operated by the new A350-900XWB aircraft as follow.

JJ8062/LA6011 GRU2255 – 1455+1MXP 350 D
JJ8063/LA6010 MXP2220 – 0540+1GRU 350 D

LATAM Brazil Files A350 Milan Schedule from Sep 2016 :: Routesonline

LATAM Santiago de Chile – New York JFK NW16 Aircraft Changes :: Routesonline

LATAM Airlines starting 08DEC16 is adjusting operational aircraft for its nonstopSantiago de Chile – New York JFK route, currently served on daily basis. From this date, Boeing 787-8 will be operating this daily service, instead of -9. Previously LATAM scheduled daily -8 operation from Late-October 2016.

LA534 SCL2200 – 0640+1JFK 763 146
LA532 SCL2350 – 0830+1JFK 787 D

LA535 JFK1745 – 0645+1SCL 763 257
LA533 JFK2000 – 0840+1SCL 787 D

LA534/535 operates with 787-8 from 10DEC16 to 08JAN17 and from 02MAR17.

LATAM Santiago de Chile – New York JFK NW16 Aircraft Changes :: Routesonline