Latam Airlines Brasil plans to purchase 41 new aircraft this year, but has not yet defined which routes will receive the planes. The company’s CEO, Jerome Cadier, states that the decision depends on the operational viability of the airports and tax conditions in the states, especially related to ICMS.
The expectation is that the delivery of these planes will be gradual, as detailed by Cadier this Tuesday (03) during the presentation of the financial results for the last quarter of 2025. The first 12 aircraft, which will be Embraer’s E2 model, will begin operating at the end of 2026. The purchase announcement was made in October last year.
In addition to these aircraft, the company expects to receive three new Boeing 787s throughout the year, a model used on long-range flights, reinforcing the international expansion strategy. The fleet will also include aircraft from the Airbus A320 family, the basis of the company’s domestic operations and which operates on short-haul international flights.
According to Cadier, the definition of destinations is still under analysis. “We haven’t closed the routes yet. We are working on the list of destinations we would like to fly to. We are talking to the states to understand the airports that accommodate the operation and also the ICMS”, he stated.
However, he explained that this year there are no plans for new international destinations, “the capacity is practically taken”. As CNN Money announced, Latam will expand the offer of flights leaving from São Paulo to Europe in April this year.
Fnac under discussion
The expansion of the fleet occurs amid discussions about the use of Fnac (National Civil Aviation Fund) to finance aircraft. Latam’s CEO evaluates the initiative as positive, but highlights that the model’s design still faces challenges.
For Cadier, the debate on the use of the fund needs to consider the different realities of airlines operating in the country. “Fnac cannot change the competitive dynamics of the sector (…). There are three companies with different needs. A single model may not be attractive to all”, he said.
In December last year, the Ministry of Ports and Airports and BNDES (National Bank for Economic and Social Development) signed the contract to release R$4 billion from Fnac to finance airlines.
However, companies criticize the model and requirements adopted for access to financing and defend adjustments. These changes are under discussion and the CEO of Latam said it is possible to reach an agreement by the middle of this year.
Regulatory stability
During the presentation of the results, the company’s CEO said he is eagerly following the definition of sensitive points of the tax reform that still generate uncertainty for the airline sector.
Another topic considered central to the company, with regard to regulatory stability, is the vote on the project that deals with baggage charges. The market, with the support of the government, talks about the need to make payment when checking in baggage, in accordance with the international market.
