Through its program Avião Solidário (Solidarity Aircraft), LATAM transported more than one ton of basic necessity items and eight veterinarians to Recife, where heavy rains have hit. The airline did not charge for this special transport last Friday, June 10th.

LATAM Airlines Group actively involved in aid relief

Recife, the capital of the Brazilian state of Pernambuco, has been hit hard by heavy rains, causing a state of emergency in some areas. In response, LATAM transported more than one ton of supplies and eight veterinarians to aid in the relief efforts in Recife.

LATAM Brasil Airbus A321 taking off from GYN
LATAM has shown its commitment to humanitarian aid for over a decade. Photo: Lukas Souza | Simple Flying

The cargo shipment that LATAM transported included water, rice, beans, cornmeal, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, bar soap, and detergent. All of these items were donated through a program called Pátria Voluntária, set up by the house of the president of the republic in partnership with the ministry of tourism. The donated items are being distributed to people affected by the rain and flooding through social work organizations that have been vetted through the Pátria Voluntária program.

The eight veterinarians, also transported to Recife as part of LATAM's Avião Solidário program, are part of the Grupo de Resgate de Animais em Desastres (Animals in Disaster Rescue Group). The group comprises 60 members, including veterinarians, biologists, oceanographers, system analysts, administrators, zoo techs, firefighters, and aids from all over Brazil. The group's mission is to promote humanitarian assistance to animals in difficult circumstances in the middle of disasters.

In addition to transporting necessities and the veterinarians, LATAM transported mattresses donated by Fortaleza's city hall. The mattresses were donated to help those displaced by the rains in Recife.

Avião Solidário

LATAM's Avião Solidário program has existed for ten years. It aims to develop a model of shared values that permits the airline to contribute to society in a way that it knows how, through connection. The Avião Solidário program supports all of Latin America, providing free support to the region's health needs, promoting the care of the environment, and offering support during natural disasters.

LATAM Brasil Boeing 787 VCP
Photo: Lukas Souza | Simple Flying

Since 2020, LATAM's Avião Solidário has transported

  • more than 4,200 healthcare professionals and patients
  • more than 2,000 organs for transplants
  • more than 1,355 tons of cargo (including medicine, vaccines, and other items)
  • more than 250 million COVID vaccines (just in Brazil)

About LATAM

The LATAM Airlines Group is the leading group of airlines in Latin America, with a presence in five domestic markets in the region. LATAM operates in Brasil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, in addition to its international operations in Latin America, Europe, Oceania, the US, and the Caribbean.

The airline group has a fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft. Specifically, it operates the Boeing 767, 777, 787, and the Airbus A319, A320/320neo, and A321. The LATAM group also has a few cargo branches, LATAM Cargo Chile, LATAM Cargo Brasil, and LATAM Cargo Colombia. The cargo branches have access to the passenger aircraft in the group's fleet, in addition to fourteen cargo aircraft, which will increase to 23 by next year.