Whilst Boeing is having more than a bad time of things, there’s one little glimmer of light in its commercial aircraft sales – with LATAM placing an order, with options.
LATAM Boeing 787-9 – Rendering, The Boeing Company.
Boeing and LATAM Airlines Group have announced a purchase of 10 787 Dreamliners with options for five more aircraft. As the region’s largest 787 operator, this latest order increases LATAM’s investment in one of the most modern fleets in Latin America.
LATAM currently operates 37 787-8s (10) and 787-9s (27) and, including this latest order, expects to grow the fleet to 52 Dreamliners by 2030.
The 787 enables the airline to maximize capacity on popular routes and launch new routes including its nonstop flight to Sydney, Australia – with the 787-9 being able to carry a balance of passengers and cargo on long-range missions.
According to Boeing, since entering service in 2011, 787 Dreamliners have helped operators launch more than 400 new nonstop routes and avoid more than 173 billion pounds of carbon emissions.
In Quotes
Ramiro Alfonsín, Chief Financial Officer of the LATAM Airlines Group said:
“The Boeing 787 is a much more efficient aircraft, allowing us to continue growing sustainably while reducing our carbon footprint as we drive the growth of our operations. This order will enable us to receive at least two aircraft of this model each year from 2025 until the end of the decade,”
Mike Wilson, Boeing’s vice president of Commercial Sales for Latin America and the Caribbean added:
“We appreciate LATAM’s continued confidence in the 787 Dreamliner family to further expand its international network from hubs in Santiago, Sao Paulo and Lima,” said
“As demand for air travel rises, we will continue to support LATAM’s growth strategy and goal of connecting Latin America with the world.”
More to come?
10 aircraft with options for a further five will provide room for both growth and replacement capacity in the LATAM fleet, with its oldest widebody aircraft being 767-300ERs, whilst LATAM Brasil has a fleet of 10 Boeing 777-300ER (ex TAM).
According to Boeing, its Commercial Market Outlook forecasts air travel in Latin America will more than double over the next 20 years, growing 5% annually. With nearly 2,300 airplane deliveries expected, the region’s fleet is projected to grow to more than 3,000 airplanes by 2043.
There’s plenty of market to fight for over the next few years – provided things can settle down enough to allow for both of the major OEM’s to start pumping out the aircraft to support this growth.
Otherwise, new entrants could always appear…
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