LATAM Airlines Group will reduce its international operations to just five international routes until 30 April, due to travel restrictions worldwide. The Group has temporarily suspended all other international routes, it said in a statement today.
Which route will LATAM fly?
Previously, LATAM had announced a cut of 90% of its international flights and a 40% reduction of its domestic routes operations. But the travel restrictions worldwide due to the coronavirus pandemic have made the operations of the airline much harder.
The South American airline group will continue flying between Santiago de Chile and Sao Paulo, Brazil. These cities were the two main hubs of each of the two airlines that form the LATAM Group: LAN from Chile and TAM from Brazil.
Additionally, the airline will continue to fly from Sao Paulo to Miami and New York. From Santiago de Chile, the airline will operate its flights to Miami and Los Angeles.
Nevertheless, the Chilean government has entry requirements; the country closed its borders since 18 March. Currently, Chile only allows entrance to nationals, residents, diplomats, international organizations and all-cargo operations.
Since 27 March, Brazil also banned entry to every foreign traveler transiting through Brazil and on to a third country that restricts their entry. Additionally, the South American country is denying entrance to people coming from 45 countries. Still, the Brazilian government has open borders with the US. I don’t understand this reasoning when the US is the place with most coronavirus confirmed cases.
Chile rejects a bailout for LATAM
Just as Mexico did last week, the Chilean government said that there will be no bailouts for companies, even though LATAM’s CEO, Roberto Alvo said that airlines will need government help.
Lucas Palacio, Economy Minister in Chile, said,
“I have heard through social media that the airline LATAM was asking for government aid. I want to be super clear about this. We are prioritizing people and I think it’s rushed. I think it’s wishful thinking, for one company to be asking something of that nature.”
According to IATA, the aviation industry contributes 2.8% to the Chilean GDP. It generates over $7 billion yearly and supports 191,000 jobs.
With this in mind, IATA, ACI-LAC, ALTA, and CANSO published a joint statement making an urgent appeal to governments. These organizations know that their previous estimate of an $8 billion hit to the industry in Latin America is a thing of the past. The hit could be a lot higher.
IATA praises Brazil for its support on airlines
Currently, besides critical flights enabling the urgent transport of medicines, vaccines, personnel, and repatriation of citizens, “the rest of the air transport sector in our region has essentially ground to a halt” said the four organizations.
To face this, they asked for aid. They aim to maintain the services provided by airlines, airports, air navigation service providers and associate services. They also plead the inclusion of the aviation sector in any national scheme or special aid package.
Another petition is the facilitation of debt renegotiation and to allow for government budgets to be reinvested in the aviation sector. The four organizations also asked for a relaxed quality of service obligations, the adjustment of working conditions, flexibility of the slot rules, and temporary relief in the requirement to develop infrastructure.
They also recognized and applauded the measures implemented by some governments while encouraging others to follow.
With this in mind, last week IATA praised Brazil for its support on airlines. This country announced air transport-specific relief measures, such as deferment of fees and taxes. ALTA also congratulated this country and added Colombia and Uruguay.
What do you think Latin American carriers should do? Let us know in the comments.
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