LATAM Airlines CEO signals Brazil work‑hour reform and fleet growth at IATA AGM

At the IATA Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, LATAM Brazil chief Jerome Cadier said discussions are advancing on ending Brazil's 6‑day‑on‑1‑day‑off (6x1) work schedule, a measure already approved by the Chamber of Deputies. He explained that the change would mainly affect ground‑handling staff, while pilots and cabin crew remain under separate regulations, and said LATAM is prepared for a smooth transition.

LATAM Group CEO Roberto Alvo highlighted the airline's scale in South America – 447 million passengers annually and close to 90 million in the past year – and outlined fleet plans, including the start of Embraer 190‑E2 operations in Brazil with 24 aircraft and up to 50 options, plus future certification of the first new aircraft by Q4. He discussed the potential use of the A321XLR on routes from Brazil and Peru, noting that regulatory conditions, such as Peru's international connection tax, are hindering traffic growth. Alvo also pointed to airport constraints in Bogotá, Congonhas and Guarulhos as challenges for regional connectivity.