LATAM Airlines aims to have a much wider fleet of aircraft with up to 150 seats, according to the Brazilian government.
In an interview with local media, the Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, stated that the Chile-based carrier is considering ordering up to 30 jets “which could be from Embraer”.
In a press conference last week, the CEO of LATAM’s Brazilian subsidiary, Jerome Cadier, admitted that the airline is talking to the planemaker, but revealed that the Airbus A220 is also being considered.
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LATAM and Gol are being pressured by the administration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to operate Embraer aircraft.
Only Azul has a fleet of E1 and E2 jets in service and can benefit from possible tax exemptions for maintaining a network of regional flights, which its rivals currently reject.
Airbus narrowbody fleet
Embraer’s conversations with LATAM and Gol have been taking place for months, as the manufacturer itself acknowledged. But only the first has been the subject of rumors about an imminent order.
Initially there was talk of five E2 aircraft, possibly the larger variant, the E195-E2, but days ago it was considered that the agreement could include up to nine aircraft.
“LATAM has indeed opened talks with Embraer and we have been working so they can analyze a purchase of Embraer plans. But we cannot impose a deal, that would be incomprehensible and a very bad sign for free markets,” said Costa Filho, according to Reuters.
LATAM’s fleet of narrow-body aircraft is made up exclusively of Airbus aircraft, which in theory would benefit the A220, but political factors may weigh on the decision.
