Europeans are increasingly choosing South America as a safer holiday destination due to the war in Iran, which has complicated travel to Asia. Roberto Alvo, CEO of Latam Airlines, noted a significant rise in luxury and budget travel bookings. The shutdown of Gulf carriers disrupted major air routes between Europe and Asia-Pacific, with passenger numbers yet to fully recover. Latam Airlines carried 10% more passengers between Europe and South America from March to September compared to the previous year. Bookings from major European airports to South American countries rose 6.5% in the first half of 2026. Alvo highlighted the increased tourism from Lima to Santiago and the beaches of north-east Brazil, with Argentina and Ecuador also seeing more visitors. He emphasized that South America has the opportunity to become a prominent long-haul destination, similar to Mexico, but requires active promotion and investment.
The airline, with about 400 aircraft, is expanding its fleet with new long-range narrow-body aircraft to connect hubs in Peru, Chile, Colombia, and Brazil to smaller destinations in the US and Europe. It is also receiving new Embraer E2 planes to enhance intra-South American travel, making it easier to traverse a continent nearly twice the size of Europe.
Source: Financial Times Companies · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing