LATAM is expected to receive its first Airbus A321XLR at the end of 2025 and base them in Lima, Peru, and Fortaleza, Brazil, both cities closest to the Northern Hemisphere.
During the Routes Americas conference, the CEO of the Chilean carrier, Roberto Alvo, confirmed that the first A321XLR will be operated from the Peruvian capital to take on flights to the United States.
LATAM Peru currently flies to Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami and New York, all served by the widebody Boeing 767-300 and which can carry just over 220 passengers.
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With its range of 4,700 nautical miles (8,700 km), the A321XLR can take on these flights while offering an extremely lower operating cost than the Boeing 767.
LATAM CEO Roberto Alvo says at #RoutesAmericas the airline plans to base its first A321XLRs in Lima and initially fly them on routes to the US. pic.twitter.com/2rIz7cANVH
— Edward Russell (@ByERussell) March 19, 2024
Routes to Europe?
The other possible base for the A321XLR should be Fortaleza, a tourist city located in the northern part of Brazil.
LATAM had already mentioned that the aircraft would fly from Fortaleza, which was reinforced by company sources to a local journalist.
Although the new Airbus jet is capable of flying to several destinations in North America, it is understood that its autonomy would mainly serve to offer flights to European cities such as Madrid, Paris, Rome and London, creating a new regional hub in the country .
Currently Air France and KLM operate flights to Europe from Fortaleza, but with widebodies.
LATAM closed an initial order for 10 A321XLR in 2022.
