LATAM tails scaled
LATAM Airlines Group has officially confirmed it is evaluating the incorporation of smaller aircraft to strengthen and expand its regional operations. The news, which had been circulating as an industry rumor, was formalized for the first time in the group’s second-quarter 2025 financial results report, which explicitly mentions Embraer and Airbus as potential suppliers.
In the document presented to its investors, the airline details that it “is analyzing the acquisition of additional aircraft from various manufacturers and lessors. This includes additions to its wide-body and narrow-body aircraft fleet, the latter including, in addition to A320 family aircraft, other smaller jets from manufacturers such as Airbus and Embraer.
This move represents a strategic adjustment for LATAM, whose short- and medium-haul fleets are currently composed exclusively of the Airbus A320 family. Integrating regional jets, such as the Embraer E-Jets E2 family or the Airbus A220, would allow the group to operate lower-density routes more efficiently, open new destinations, and increase frequencies in existing markets.
The company underscores that “the main focus of these additions will be to serve and expand passenger transport in the region.” The decision comes at a time of growth for the group, which added 12 aircraft during the second quarter, including ten A320neos and one A321neo, and also secured another 11 A320neo deliveries for 2026.
The analysis of these new aircraft occurs in a context of strong financial results and updated growth guidance, giving the group the necessary strength to consider such fleet investments. The potential choice of Embraer, a Brazilian manufacturer, would not only diversify its fleet but also provide a boost to the country’s aerospace industry, where LATAM Brazil is a major player.
Currently, the LATAM Airlines Group fleet consists of 360 aircraft:
- 281 single-aisle Airbus A320 family aircraft.
- 56 wide-body Boeing aircraft (767, 777, and 787 Dreamliner).
- 20 Boeing 767F cargo aircraft.
Despite market optimism, the group maintains a cautious stance. The report clarifies that “the materialization of these options depends on various factors” and that the company retains “relevant flexibility to adjust capacity as needed,” allowing it to adapt to the changing conditions of the South American market.
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