LATAM Brazil has recovered 95% of its pre-pandemic domestic capacity, and it is leading the bounceback for the South American carrier. In December, LATAM is operating 583 daily domestic flights in 49 Brazilian airports, even increasing the level of connectivity it had in 2019. Let’s investigate further.

Brazil’s recovery is going strong

During the last three months, LATAM Brazil has led the domestic market, according to stats provided by the Civil Aviation National Agency in the country. While Azul Linhas Aereas will finish the year as Brazil’s leading carrier with between 19 and 20 million passengers, LATAM is closing the gap.

In December, LATAM has launched operations in two new cities, Jericoacoara and Vitória da Conquista. Next year, the carrier will begin flights from Bauru, and it is also eyeing operations from five more Brazilian cities (Juiz de Fora, Cascavel, Caxias do Sul, Presidente Prudente, and Sinop).

Internationally, LATAM Brazil hasn’t recovered quite so smoothly. In December, the airline is offering 49% of its pre-pandemic seat offer. It has reestablished flights to 19 destinations. LATAM is flying back to Orlando, Milan, and London from São Paulo. In January 2022, it will reestablish its flight to Punta del Este, Uruguay.

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LATAM is slowly recovering its pre-pandemic capacity across South America. Photo: Getty Images

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Elsewhere, LATAM is at 69%

The recovery across South America has varied dramatically throughout 2021. Travel restrictions are the ones to blame because while some countries like Colombia are already back to 2019 levels and growing, others like Chile are slowly coming back.

LATAM Airlines Group’s operational passenger projection for December 2021 is estimated to reach 69% of 2019 levels.

The carrier plans to operate approximately 1,212 daily domestic and international flights during December. Its map route has reached 129 destinations in 18 countries. Meanwhile, LATAM Cargo will operate 1,150 flights scheduled on cargo freighters, with an average utilization level that is 20% higher than the same period in 2019.

In Chile, LATAM is operating at 59% of pre-pandemic traffic levels. Its domestic market has recovered by 92%, while the international remains at 47%. The airline is flying to 16 destinations (157 daily flights) and 21 international.

LATAM Colombia is already flying at 102% of its pre-pandemic capacity. The domestic market has rebounded by 137%, but the international remains at 69%. In December, the airline has launched four new routes.

In Ecuador, LATAM remains at 40% of December 2019 levels due to a mere 16% recovery in the international market. Finally, in Peru, LATAM is at 63% of its pre-pandemic capacity, and it has launched a new route between Lima and Buenos Aires.

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LATAM recently filed its Reorganization Plan in the US bankruptcy court. Photo: Getty Images.

What a year for LATAM

LATAM has had quite a year. The airline is currently in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy process in the US. It is currently negotiating the approval of its Reorganization Plan in the US, although it is facing a few challenges.

For a few months, LATAM faced the threat of being absorbed by Azul Linhas Aereas. The Brazilian carrier founded by David Neeleman announced its intention to acquire the South American giant. In the end, LATAM filed its Reorganization Plan, and Azul announced it is no longer interested in the carrier for now.

Do you think LATAM could recover 100% of its pre-pandemic capacity levels in 2022? Let us know what you think in the comments below.