LATAM overhauls long-haul schedule for 2016

As part of its strategy to offer the best network of connections to, from and within Latin America, LATAM Airlines Group announces plans to launch six new international routes by the end of 2016.

These new destinations will strengthen the Group’s connectivity in Latin America, North America, the Caribbean, Europe and Africa.

Some of these new routes include LAN Peru’s first ever nonstop flight between Washington DC and Lima.

Beginning from the second half of 2016, LAN Peru will become the only airline operating a non-stop route between Washington DC and Lima with four flights per week between the two capital cities.

In addition, TAM is awaiting approval from authorities to operate a flight between from Sao Paulo to Johannesburg, making LATAM Airlines Group the only Latin American airline with regularly scheduled flights to Africa.

“We are extremely pleased to announce the implementation of operations to a fifth destination within the United States which strengthens the company’s operations between Latin America and the US.

“In addition the potential launch of a route from Sao Paulo to Johannesburg in 2016 represents an important milestone for the Group as TAM will be the only Latin American airline to connect Latin America to Africa,” said Enrique Cueto, chief executive LATAM Airlines Group.

Furthermore, in December 2015, LAN Peru will add nonstop flights between Lima and Montevideo and Lima and Antofagasta, and will also increase weekly flights from 14 to 17 on the Miami to Lima route.

In 2016, TAM will adjust its international network to focus on destinations that have the potential to best bolster the country’s economy.

Changes to the current Brazil network will include the cancellation of the three weekly flights from Miami to Belo Horizonte in March 2016.

TAM will continue to offer passengers efficient international connection options from other LATAM Airlines Group hubs which already offer easy connections to Buenos Aires, Miami and Orlando, such as Brasilia.

In order to increase connectivity, the existing Brasilia to Orlando route will increase from three flights per week to six.

Enrique Cueto, chief executive LATAM Airlines Group commented: “LATAM Airlines Group is committed to continually growing and improving connectivity for
our passengers throughout Latin America.

“The size of the Group and its presence in several countries in the region allows us to combine flexibility and connectivity to open promising new routes, make strategic changes throughout our network, and make real time adjustments in markets where demand has decreased.”

The existing Orlando to Sao Paulo route will decrease from 11 flights per week to seven in the second half of 2016 and will be operated by TAM’s new Airbus A350.

In April 2016 TAM will add a second weekly flight on the Miami to Fortaleza route and will reduce weekly frequencies from five to four on the Miami to Manaus route.

In February 2016, TAM will begin operating a nonstop flight from Sao Paulo to Bogota, increasing LATAM Airlines Group’s weekly frequencies for this route from seven to 11 and opening the gateway to connection flights to other Caribbean destinations via Bogota.

Additionally, starting in January 2016, TAM will also begin operating a Sao Paulo to Lima route, which is a route already serviced by LATAM Airlines Group.

In June 2016, TAM’s new flight from Sao Paulo to Barcelona will add frequencies to become a daily service.

Starting next month, LAN will start flying the Santiago – Sao Paulo – Milan route.

In addition to this, to strengthen connectivity to Europe even more, the company added three frequencies on the Santiago – Madrid routes during 2015.

In December 2015, LAN Colombia and TAM will begin operating to Punta Cana from Bogotá (LAN Colombia) and from Brasilia (TAM) four times a week in both cases.

Below please find LATAM Airlines Group’s new flight details for 2015 and 2016; some flights are confirmed whilst others are currently awaiting approval from authorities.