LATAM takes delivery of 200th A320 aircraft at Paris Air Show

LATAM Airlines Group, the holding company for LAN and TAM Airlines and third largest Airbus customer in terms of in-service and on order aircraft, has taken delivery of its 200th A320 aircraft at Le Bourget Paris Air Show. The TAM A320 is equipped with Sharklet fuel-saving wing-tip devices and powered by CFM engines.

“We are very happy to receive our 200th Airbus A320 at the 50th Paris Air Show, a truly momentous occasion that reflects the important relationship Airbus, LAN, TAM and now LATAM have shared since 1998,” said Roberto Alvo, LATAM Airlines Group’s Chief Corporate Officer. “The A320 has been a key element to the company’s growth over the years and success in South America.”

“We congratulate LATAM on this important milestone. We are convinced that the market-leading A320 Family will substantially contribute to LATAM’s strategy moving forward,” said John Leahy Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. “We are proud to foster our partnership with LATAM, one of the largest airline groups in the world.”

LATAM received its first Sharklet-equipped aircraft in April 2013. Made from light-weight composites, Sharklets are an option on new-build A320 Family aircraft allowing airlines to reduce fuel burn up to four percent and reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 1,000 tons per aircraft per year.

LATAM has ordered a total of 380 aircraft, has almost 250 aircraft in operation and their joint Airbus backlog is nearly 170, making them the third largest airline customer and third largest operator of Airbus aircraft in the world. The airline group is also the largest A320 operator in Latin America and one of the largest in the world.

With more than 760 aircraft sold and a backlog that exceeds 360, more than 500 Airbus aircraft are in operation throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. In the last 10 years, Airbus has tripled its in-service fleet, while delivering more than 60 percent of all aircraft operating in the region.