The Latin American aviation market is heavily dominated by narrowbody airplanes. If you look through the Latin American airlines’ fleets, there is a heavy mix between Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer. But, going forward, which manufacturer has the most orders in the region?

The grand total

Using the ch-aviation.com database, we see there are currently 610 net orders in Latin America and the Caribbean for the next few years. A total of 13 airlines are now expecting to receive new planes from Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer in the region.

Nevertheless, we expect this number could change due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Actually, prior to the pandemic, the number was higher, with 670 planes on order.

Since then, the likes of Aeromexico and LATAM have already reduced their orders with Boeing. Meanwhile, others like Interjet have (unofficially) ceased operations leaving behind an unfilled order.

A350-1000 Air Caraïbes
The only Caribbean airline expecting more deliveries from Airbus is Air Caraïbes. Photo: Airbus

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Airbus orders

Airbus has the largest market share in Latin America. According to the European manufacturer, 56% of the narrowbody Latin American fleet is of Airbus production. Also, approximately 60% of future deliveries are from Airbus as well.

ch-aviation has registered 381 net orders for Airbus aircraft in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Mexican low-cost carrier Volaris has the largest order right now. The airline expects to receive 95 Airbus A320 family planes in the next few years (plus a few extra leased units in 2021). This low-cost is not following the COVID-19 patterns of other airlines. While others reduce and reject orders, Volaris is growing.

Avianca has on order 88 A320neo aircraft, according to ch-aviation’s database. Despite being in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy process, Avianca has not updated its order for new planes.

The Chilean operator JetSmart is also a strong Airbus customer. It has 75 aircraft on order. This order includes 12 A321XLR, which will allow the airline to connect Santiago with US cities.

Airbus only has one Caribbean customer at the moment, Air Caraïbes. The carrier has three A350-1000 on order, following the delivery of its first unit on December 19, 2019.

GOL Boeing 737 MAX
A Boeing 737 MAX aircraft operated by low-cost airline Gol is seen on the tarmac at Guarulhos International Airport, near Sao Paulo on December 9, 2020, as the 737 MAX returns into use more than 20 months after it was grounded following two deadly crashes. (Photo by NELSON ALMEIDA / AFP) (Photo by NELSON ALMEIDA/AFP via Getty Images)

Boeing orders

Currently, Boeing has orders for 175 planes in Latin America, coming from six airlines. These are Aerolíneas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Avianca, Copa Airlines, GOL, and LATAM.

The Brazilian operator GOL Linhas Aereas still holds the largest order in the region.

Even though GOL reduced its original order for 135 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to 95, it is still set to become the largest MAX customer in the region. Its acquisition is composed of 25 B737-10 and 70 B737-8.

Copa Airlines is the second-largest active customer of Boeing in Latin America. It currently has orders for 41 planes, including 12 B737-8, 14 B737-9, and 15 B737-10. The Panamanian carrier has reduced its fleet size but hasn’t modified its order with Boeing so far.

Aerolíneas Argentinas still has nine B737 MAX units on order. Grupo Aeromexico reduced its 54 MAX order to 24 last month (plus it added four B787-9 to the mix).

LATAM had orders for seven Boeing planes (one B777 and six B787-9). It recently renegotiated and brought it down to just two Dreamliners. Finally, Avianca still has to receive two B787-9.

Across in the Caribbean, Caribbean Airlines has 12 Boeing 737 MAX on order. While the delivery dates aren't known for sure yet, its first MAX was spotted recently on the flight line at Boeing's Renton plant, sporting a very colorful livery.

A quick look at Embraer

Even though Embraer doesn’t have many new customers in Latin America and the Caribbean, it does have a sizeable order.

Azul Linhas Aereas expects to receive 51 new E190-E2 in the following years.

Did you expect Airbus to have the largest market share in Latin America? Let us know in the comments.