- LATAM Airlines enhances its fleet with its first AerCap-leased A321neo, initiating the delivery of 76 such aircraft.
- Both Airbus and LATAM highlight the A321neo’s contributions to sustainability and fuel efficiency in their fleets.
- LATAM, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050, concurrently progresses in its fleet renewal and connectivity improvements.
Airbus and LATAM Airlines Strengthen Ties with Enhanced A321neo Aircraft Agreement
TOULOUSE — In a strategic bid to bolster its route network and catalyze regional growth, LATAM Airlines has embraced the delivery of its inaugural A321neo, leased from AerCap, and simultaneously placed orders for an additional 13 of the Airbus-manufactured aircraft. The acquisition marks the first installment of a committed delivery of 76 A321neo aircraft, contributing to LATAM's cumulative procurement of 111 A320 Family aircraft.
The introduction of the A321neo to LATAM’s fleet represents not just an upgrade in capacity—seating up to 224 passengers and featuring Airbus’ Airspace XL bins, which elevate storage space by 40% and accommodate 60% more carry-on bags—but also a stride toward sustainability, given that the aircraft flew to its destination utilizing 49% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
Ramiro Alfonsín, Chief Financial Officer of LATAM Airlines Group, expressed, “Our fleet renewal and modernization strategy, marked by this addition, underscores our dedication to sustainability, inching us closer to our objective of realizing carbon-neutral operations by 2050. Emphasizing environmental stewardship, we remain committed to fortifying our fleet with next-generation aircraft, thereby enhancing connectivity and environmental conservation simultaneously.”
Representing the largest member of Airbus’ top-selling single-aisle A320 Family, the A321neo allows operators to permeate the entire market while offering the most economical seat-mile cost of any available single-aisle. Globally, the A321neo has been chosen by customers in more than 5,200 orders.
Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International, remarked, “We extend our gratitude to LATAM for persisting in their trust in our aircraft, once again choosing the A321neo to facilitate their ongoing network expansion. The pivotal decision not only amplifies LATAM’s decarbonization pathway—with the A321neos being at least 20% more fuel-efficient and emitting 20% less CO2 and 50% less noise than their predecessors—but also fortifies our collaborative relationship.”
Navigating through domestic markets in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, as well as international territories across Europe, Oceania, the United States, and the Caribbean, LATAM Airlines Group and its affiliates dominate as the principal airline consortium in Latin America. The group, currently operating 240 Airbus aircraft and standing as the largest Airbus operator in the region, furthered its fleet in July with the addition of a new Airbus A320neo, notably the first delivery utilizing 30% SAF.
Since establishing the availability of SAF at delivery flights in 2016, Airbus has been at the aviation industry’s forefront in offering customers aircraft and helicopters with SAF onboard from their delivery centers. SAF has emerged as a pivotal tool in accomplishing emission reduction objectives. Furthermore, in the realm of Latin America and the Caribbean, Airbus has marketed over 1,150 aircraft, operating more than 750 throughout the region and holding more than 520 in the order backlog, thus holding a 58% market share of in-service passenger aircraft. Moreover, since 1994, Airbus has clinched 75% of net orders within the region.
The introduction of the A321neo to LATAM’s fleet represents not just an upgrade in capacity—seating up to 224 passengers and featuring Airbus’ Airspace XL bins, which elevate storage space by 40% and accommodate 60% more carry-on bags—but also a stride toward sustainability, given that the aircraft flew to its destination utilizing 49% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
Ramiro Alfonsín, Chief Financial Officer of LATAM Airlines Group, expressed, “Our fleet renewal and modernization strategy, marked by this addition, underscores our dedication to sustainability, inching us closer to our objective of realizing carbon-neutral operations by 2050. Emphasizing environmental stewardship, we remain committed to fortifying our fleet with next-generation aircraft, thereby enhancing connectivity and environmental conservation simultaneously.”
Representing the largest member of Airbus’ top-selling single-aisle A320 Family, the A321neo allows operators to permeate the entire market while offering the most economical seat-mile cost of any available single-aisle. Globally, the A321neo has been chosen by customers in more than 5,200 orders.
Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Airbus International, remarked, “We extend our gratitude to LATAM for persisting in their trust in our aircraft, once again choosing the A321neo to facilitate their ongoing network expansion. The pivotal decision not only amplifies LATAM’s decarbonization pathway—with the A321neos being at least 20% more fuel-efficient and emitting 20% less CO2 and 50% less noise than their predecessors—but also fortifies our collaborative relationship.”
Navigating through domestic markets in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, as well as international territories across Europe, Oceania, the United States, and the Caribbean, LATAM Airlines Group and its affiliates dominate as the principal airline consortium in Latin America. The group, currently operating 240 Airbus aircraft and standing as the largest Airbus operator in the region, furthered its fleet in July with the addition of a new Airbus A320neo, notably the first delivery utilizing 30% SAF.
Since establishing the availability of SAF at delivery flights in 2016, Airbus has been at the aviation industry’s forefront in offering customers aircraft and helicopters with SAF onboard from their delivery centers. SAF has emerged as a pivotal tool in accomplishing emission reduction objectives. Furthermore, in the realm of Latin America and the Caribbean, Airbus has marketed over 1,150 aircraft, operating more than 750 throughout the region and holding more than 520 in the order backlog, thus holding a 58% market share of in-service passenger aircraft. Moreover, since 1994, Airbus has clinched 75% of net orders within the region.
