Chile-based carrier LATAM Airlines Group is in the middle of a fleet consolidation process and as a part of it, it has cancelled the order for four Boeing 787 and one B777F aircraft, according to media reports. LATAM has rejected the leasing contracts of up to 42 planes.
LATAM airlines said, “On April 29, LATAM and Boeing came to an agreement regarding the acquisition of some B787 and B777 aircraft”.
“As a result of the amendments, LATAM will maintain its purchase orders in respect of two B787-9 aircraft, with proposed delivery dates in December 2021. These arrangements contemplate that LATAM will have no further liability with regards to the terminated aircraft orders.”
LATAM has trimmed its fleet to a great extend last year. By year ending 2019, the carrier had a total fleet of 342 aircraft, however, now it has been reduced to 297.
Recently, the carrier also revealed its financials for the first quarter of 2021. During the period, the carrier had an income of $913.2 million, which is a decrease of 61.2 percent when compared to the previous year. The decrease in income for the carrier is mostly due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the aviation sector. It posted net loss of $430.9 million.
Earlier this month, LATAM announced a sustainability programme that will last the next three decades. Through the sustainability programme, the carrier plans to ditch single-use plastics by 2023, stop landfill waste by 2027, and become carbon neutral by 2050.