The LATAM Airlines Group announced on Wednesday that they will gradually increase their domestic and international operations in June and July. The carrier will offer more flexibility, lower fares and new health and wellbeing protocols.
Yesterday (May 20, 2020), the LATAM Airlines Group announced they resume service in June and July with approximately 5% - 9% and 18% of their pre-crisis capacity respectively. The carrier is granting additional flexibility and will offer average fares of 20% lower than usual. In June, LATAM Airlines Brazil will operate four international flights between São Paulo and Frankfurt, London, Madrid and Miami. From Santiago, Chile, the Group will offer service to Miami and São Paulo, where guests can connect to Europe. The LATAM Group plans to offer a total of 13 international destinations by July. LATAM Airlines Brazil will operate 74 domestic routes and LATAM Airlines Chile will offer service to 12 destinations including La Serena, Copiapó, Temuco and Easter island. The Group’s affiliate in Ecuador also plans on resuming service in June, while the Colombian and Peruvian affiliates hope to resume service in July, subject to government travel restrictions. In Wednesday’s announcement, LATAM Airlines Group’s Senior Commercial Vice President, Michael Rutter said,
“With these measures, the LATAM group is responding to the connectivity needs of the countries where it operates and adapting its offerings to the requirements of customers in this complex scenario. The group is increasing flights, destinations and frequencies, and taking concrete measures that respond to the new economic reality that clients and their families are facing. Those measures include more accessible and flexible flight options, new sanitation measures and customer assistance services for passengers during their trips.”
In addition to a 20% decrease in average fares, the carrier will allow guests to voluntarily reschedule their flights through July 21, 2020 and the first change will be without penalty or fare change. Destinations can also be changed, but customers will be required to pay the applicable fare differential. Also, if a customer remains uncertain about their travel date, they will be permitted to leave the ticket open for up to 12 months, providing they notify LATAM through their website at least 7 days in advance.
Like most airlines, LATAM now requires all guests to wear masks throughout their journey. The carrier has also instituted proactive disinfection procedures on all aircraft after each arrival including quaternary ammonium spray and additional manual cleaning. All aircraft in the LATAM fleet are equipped with HEPA filters that remove 99.97% of particulates. Social distancing will be required throughout the journey where practical and all blankets, downs and pillows are laundered after each flight. The front restrooms on each aircraft will be for crew use only to minimize contact with passengers.
Source: LATAM Airlines Group