LATAM Orders 74 Embraer jets to Accelerate Growth

Latam has launched a new order for Embra Jets to support new American Airlines flights.

Chile-based Santiago Airlines will occupy 74 E195-E2 jets from Embraer starting from the second half of 2026, Latan said on Monday. Initially, a plane with 132 passengers in the 132-square-slot layout will initially fly to the airline’s Brazilian subsidiary.

LATAM CEO Roberto Alvo said in a statement that the deal will allow airlines to “continue our path to profitable growth by enhancing connectivity through the opening of new destinations.”

Embraer’s deal is the latest in LATAM’s impressive turnaround. The common 19th pandemic forced the carrier to reorganize in the U.S. Chapter 11 bankruptcy process, which removed the plane, cut the route and closed the Argentina subsidiary. Since its withdrawal from bankruptcy in the second half of 2022, the airline has established links with Delta Airlines and Qatar Airways.

Since 2022, Latam has added at least six new routes, including at title markets such as Ezeiza International Airport (Eze) in Buenos Aires, to Miami International Airport (MIA) (a route in 2020) and Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) in SAO Paulo to Los Angeles International Airport (Los Angeles International Airport (Los).

LATAM is a joint venture with Delta Airlines, which allows airlines to coordinate schedules and fares, among other things.

For Embraer, the LATAM order is the second week after our stand-alone Avelo Airlines reached a landmark deal on 100 aircraft. AVELO order is the first Embraer to the E195-E2 in the US market.

Where can Latam fly out of E2?

LATAM will first use its E195-E2 to expand in Brazil. These aircraft will allow it to better compete with Brazil’s Azul Brazilian airline, which, although smaller than Latam, has a destination in the country with almost multiple air disks, 2 1/2 times the jets of Embraer’s crew and ATR turboprops.

Ten years ago, LATAM considered ordering a small jet to fill out its Brazilian network and at a new hub in the northeast of the country at Fortaleza-Pinto Martins International Airport (FOR), Natal International Airport (NAT) or Recife/Guarapes-Gilerberto-Gilberto Freyre International Airport (Rec). These plans have been put on hold due to political and economic uncertainty.

E2 orders can be restored to the Northeast hub to fill out the plan for the Brazilian LATAM roadmap. And, while the 3,450 miles (3,000 nautical miles) range of E2 is too short, for new Brazil-US flights, more regional flights can support connectivity and new routes for other aircraft in the airline fleet.

Prior to the LATAM restructuring, the airline served Miami International Airport (MIA) from Rec and airports in Belim, Manaus and El Salvador, a timeline for aviation analytics company Cirium Show.

The future E2 possibilities of LATAM

On the way, LATAM can use the E195-E2S to expand its U.S. network from El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Colombia and Jorge Chávez International Airport (Lim) in Lima in Peru to its base. The aircraft can reach Florida and Southeast destinations from two airports – partner Delta’s strength area.

For example, E2 can use flights from BOG to the rapidly expanding Delta focal city of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS).

E2 also has a new route to the Hartsfield-Jackson-Jackson-Jackson-Jackson hub in the second-tier cities of northern South America.

Latan said it will consider branches in Chile, Colombia and Peru to drive E2 “may later”.