LATAM is once more expanding its international network from Brazil. Earlier today, the airline announced the primary flight from Belo Horizonte within the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais to Santiago in Chile. Flights can be launched on November 1.
LATAM Brazil expands its international network
Latin American airline group LATAM Airlines has announced its latest international route, connecting one other Brazilian city with Santiago. Belo Horizonte is the capital of the state of Minas Gerais, certainly one of the most important states in Brazil. The town can be certainly one of Brazil’s largest and most vital, and launching a brand new international route is crucial, as LATAM expects to move greater than 27,000 passengers annually.
Historically, quite a few LATAM passengers from Belo Horizonte (CNF) flew to Santiago but connected through São Paulo. LATAM’s operations in Belo Horizonte currently reach just three cities in Brazil, São Paulo (Congonhas and Guarulhos), Rio de Janeiro (Santos Dumont), and Brasilia. As LATAM only serves a couple of domestic destinations in Brazil, the international expansion will significantly reduce the typical trip from Belo Horizonte to Chile from eight hours to 5.
“LATAM is the airline that almost all connects Brazil with the world, and we have now expanded the connections between other South American cities and Brazilian cities. The flight from Santiago to Belo Horizonte is a results of our strategy, a strengthened and efficient airline that is ready to speculate within the country sustainably and connected to a worldwide network of greater than 140 destinations.” – Aline Mafra, Director of Sales and Marketing, LATAM Brasil
LATAM will deploy its Airbus A320s on the brand new route, able to carrying 174 passengers, 12 in Premium Economy and 162 in Economy. Flights will depart Belo Horizonte at 19:00 on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, and the return flight will depart Santiago at 13:04.
Photo: Lukas Souza | Easy Flying
Herlichy Bastos, Director of Operations at BH Airport, also commented on the launch of the brand new path to Santiago,
“This latest route at our airport from LATAM makes us very proud. We’re dedicated to expanding Minas Gerais’ connectivity with the international market and strengthening our position as a hub. Having a nonstop path to Chile which also connects passengers to Australia and Recent Zealand, has great potential. We’re certain of the success of this latest route.”
LATAM’s operations in Belo Horizonte currently reach just three cities in Brazil, São Paulo (Congonhas and Guarulhos), Rio de Janeiro (Santos Dumont), and Brasilia.
Additional international connectivity
4 carriers connect Belo Horizonte internationally, Azul Linhas Aéreas, Avianca, Copa Airlines, and TAP Air Portugal. Azul recently announced two international flights from CNF, to Curação and Fort Lauderdale. Avianca flies to CNF from Bogotá, Copa from Panama City, and TAP from Lisbon. Though Belo Horizonte is connected to 5 countries, international flights make up just 81 of the three,779 scheduled departures this month.
Photo: Lukas Souza | Easy Flying
Right before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, only Azul, Copa, and TAP had international flights from CNF. Azul used to attach the Minas Gerais capital with Buenos Aires, Orlando, and Fort Lauderdale. American Airlines used to fly its Boeing 767-300s to CNF from Miami but ended flights in August 2018.
