Category: Latin America News (Page 2 of 15)

LATAM orders five additional Boeing 787 aircraft

December 20, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

LATAM Airlines Group SA (ADR: LTMAY) announces an order for five more Boeing (NYSE: BA) 787 Dreamliners to continue advancing its commitment to be more efficient and sustainable. The purchase ranks the South American airline group as the largest operators of Dreamliners in Latin America.

With this order, together with the already scheduled deliveries of this model in the upcoming years, LATAM group will reach a total of 46 Boeing 787 airplanes. Representing an increase of 20 airplanes of this model compared to the pre-pandemic fleet, this investment reinforces the group’s commitment to have one of the most modern and efficient fleets in South America.

Additionally, LATAM group has decided to equip the next Boeing 787s it receives with GEnx engines by General Electric (NYSE: GE) Aerospace Division, becoming the first airline in South America to have these engines known for their high performance and efficiency.

The GEnx engine family has more than 50 million flight hours since entry into service in 2011 and is the fastest-selling, high-thrust engine in GE history with nearly 3,000 engines in service and on backlog, including spares, according to data from its manufacturer.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including expected delivery dates. Such statements are based on current expectations and projections about our future results, prospects and opportunities and are not guarantees of future performance. Such statements will not be updated unless required by law. Actual results and performance may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Air Canada adds Tulum and Charleston to route network

December 15, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Montreal, Quebec, Canada, December 14, 2023, CNW – Air Canada (Toronto: AC) today announced it is boosting its North American network capacity for summer 2024 with the addition of two new destinations, five new routes, increased flight frequencies on key routes, and earlier resumption of popular seasonal routes in response to projected demand. Air Canada becomes the first Canadian airline to offer service to Tulum*, with flights from Toronto and Montreal to the newest airport in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, and to Charleston, SC from Toronto. Seats are now available for purchase at aircanada.com, via the Air Canada app, Air Canada’s contact centres and through travel agents. Flights to Tulum will be available for sale on December 15.

*subject to government approval

For summer 2024, Air Canada will be serving 120 destinations in Canada, the US and the Caribbean with up to 520 flights every day, translating to approximately 66,000 seats being dispatched, representing an increase of 5% percent North America and Caribbean seat capacity from 2023.

New destination: Tulum*, Mexico

“I celebrate this great announcement from Air Canada. Without connectivity there is no tourism, and the two new routes to the new Tulum International Airport, which is ready to receive five million passengers, will boost the arrival of tourists from our second most important source market for international tourists,” stated Lic. Miguel Torruco Marqués, Secretario de Turismo, Mexico.

Flight	From	To	Departs	Arrives	Days of Operation	Operation
AC1854	Toronto (YYZ)	Tulum (TQO)	08:15	11:20	Fri, Sun	Year-round, begins May 3
AC1855	Tulum (TQO)	Toronto (YYZ)	12:30	17:35	Fri, Sun	Year-round, begins May 3
AC1874	Montreal (YUL)	Tulum (TQO)	08:15	12:00	Sat	Year-round, begins May 4
AC1875	Tulum (TQO)	Montreal (YUL)	13:10	18:45	Sat	Year-round, begins May 4

New destination: Charleston, SC

“Charleston International Airport is delighted to welcome the addition of Toronto as an international destination, made possible by the introduction of Air Canada’s daily flights providing a seamless link between Canada’s largest metropolitan area and the Charleston Lowcountry. Not only does the new service connect two of the top cosmopolitan destinations worldwide, renowned for their extraordinary landmarks, rich culture, entertainment and leisure adventures, this route offers customers unmatched travel options and conveniences, whether travelling for leisure, visiting friends and family, or for business,” said Elliott Summey, Executive Director and CEO at Charleston International Airport.

“Air Canada’s announcement is a major milestone for our industry, the Charleston region and beyond. International visitation is integral to a healthy and sustainable tourism economy. While Canada is consistently our top country of origin for international visitors, we know there is tremendous untapped potential in the market. Beyond increasing access for leisure travelers, the daily, nonstop service creates more opportunity to recruit group business and provides improved connectivity for Charleston area residents traveling to Canada and other international destinations served through Air Canada’s Toronto hub,” said Helen Hill, CEO of Explore Charleston and Chair of the Aviation Authority Board.

Flight	From	To	Departs	Arrives	Days of Operation	Operation
AC8629	Toronto (YYZ)	Charleston (CHS)	18:40	20:58	Daily	Year-round, begins March 28
AC8628	Charleston (CHS)	Toronto (YYZ)	10:00	12:21	Daily	Year-round, begins, March 29

Forward-Looking Statements

Azul Linhas Aereas discloses order for four A330neo’s

December 15, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Sao Paulo, Brazil, December 15, 2023 – Azul Airlines SA (NYSE: AZUL) discloses a firm order for four additional A330-900 from a purchase agreement signed in June 2023. With these aircraft, the airline will expand its fleet and international route offering.

The A330neo is powered by the latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, with a range of 7,200 nautical miles / 13,300 kilometers non-stop. Azul Linhas Aereas launched operations in 2008 and has since grown to become one of the largest airlines in Brazil by servicing more than 160 destinations within Brazil, the United States, Europe and South America. Azul received the Americas’ first A330neo in 2019 and operates 12 A330 Family aircraft.

Forward-Looking Statements

Alaska Air adds Porter Airlines as 30th global airline partner

December 13, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Alaska Airlines Group Inc (NYSE: ALK) is welcoming a new global airline partner: Porter Airlines, a growing Canadian carrier that begins its inaugural nonstop service between Toronto and both Los Angeles and San Francisco in January. Those flights, along with flights connecting on Alaska across our West Coast network, can be purchased later today at alaskaair.com. Mileage Plan members who buy Porter flights on our website also earn at least 100% of the miles flown and 100% elite-qualifying miles.

Porter’s new routes will link Los Angeles and San Francisco to Canada’s largest city and beyond with connections to destinations across Eastern Canada including Montreal, Ottawa and Halifax. Porter will fly the Embraer E195-E2 aircraft between California and Toronto, which is known for its quieter flying and greater fuel efficiency than previous generation technology.

Porter is Alaska’s 30^th global partner airline. Porter’s daily nonstop service between Los Angeles-Toronto begins on Jan. 16 with the airline’s operations conveniently located alongside Alaska’s gates at Terminal 6 at LAX. Porter’s San Francisco-Toronto service will launch the following week on Jan. 25. Porter is now selling flights with Alaska connections on its website.

Alaska and Porter will continue to strengthen our partnership next year. Coming in 2024, Mileage Plan and VIPorter members will earn miles in their respective loyalty programs no matter where they book their flights. Next year will bring even more benefits with access to mileage redemptions with enhanced availability for both Mileage Plan and VIPorter members on each other’s airline.

Forward-Looking Statements

JetBlue Flights Take Off for Belize Today

December 6, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

New York, N.Y., December 6. 2023, Business Wire – JetBlue (NASDAQ: JBLU) today announced it has officially launched service between New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) in Belize City, Belize, with the first flight arriving in Belize this afternoon. JetBlue’s new Belize City service will operate Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, introducing the airline’s award-winning service and low fares to customers looking to fly directly from New York.

Belize is one of Central America’s most biodiverse countries. It is home to mystical Mayan caves, wondrous aquatic habitats, and lush national parks, touting tropical jungles, wildlife reserves, and cascading flora and fauna. Located along the Caribbean Sea, Belize offers over 185 miles of barrier reef – the largest in the northern hemisphere – family-friendly attractions, romantic escapes, and many other adventures.

With JetBlue’s entrance into Belize City, JetBlue becomes the only airline to offer nonstop service from New York’s JFK to Belize. Belize City will build on JetBlue’s success in the broader region, where it offers service to 26 countries within Latin America and the Caribbean. In recent years, the airline’s network strategy has focused on enhancing international markets, which has translated into current service to 40 international destinations. As a leader at New York’s JFK, JetBlue’s new route to Belize allows JetBlue to continue to grow in under-served geographies while bringing more choices and options to our customers.

Schedule between New York (JFK) and Belize City (BZE)
Operating Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays

JetBlue will operate the Belize City route using its Airbus A320 aircraft, offering the airline’s award-winning service featuring the most legroom in coach^(a); fast, free and unlimited broadband Fly-Fi^(b); complimentary name-brand snacks and drinks; and seatback entertainment at every seat.

(a) – JetBlue offers the most legroom in coach based on average fleet-wide seat pitch for U.S. airlines.

(b) – Fly-Fi® and live television are available on all JetBlue-operated flights. Coverage area may vary by aircraft. Details on inflight wi-fi and entertainment: https://www.jetblue.com/flying-with-us

Forward-Looking Statements

American Airlines debuts record schedule for Cancun Mexico

December 6, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

American Airlines Group (Nasdaq: AAL) is ready to help customers escape winter weather with more flights than any other U.S. carrier to the white sand beaches, impressive archaeological sites and vibrant culture of Cancun, Mexico (CUN). With 40 peak-day flights this winter, American provides plenty of options for customers to take in all that Cancun and the Riviera Maya has to offer this winter.

Starting Dec. 9, American will launch new nonstop flights to CUN from Cincinnati (CVG), Nashville, Tennessee (BNA), and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (PIT). This new flying joins the airline’s winter network, growing to 18 nonstop routes to CUN from around the country.

As the largest U.S. airline serving the Yucatan, American will also operate six peak-day flights to Cozumel (CZM) and two daily flights to Merida (MID) this winter, offering customers the most convenient schedule to plan a winter getaway. Starting March 28, American will also launch four daily nonstop flights to Tulum, Mexico (TQO), adding more nonstop service to the region.

Forward-Looking Statements

Siemens and Intel to collaborate on advanced semiconductor manufacturing

December 4, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Siemens AG (ADR: SIEGY), a leading technology company, and Intel Corporation (Nasdaq: INTC), one of the world’s largest semiconductor companies, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on driving digitalization and sustainability of microelectronics manufacturing. The companies will focus on advancing future manufacturing efforts, evolving factory operations and cybersecurity, and supporting a resilient global industry ecosystem.

The MoU identifies key areas of collaboration to explore a variety of initiatives, including optimizing energy management and addressing carbon footprints across the value chain. For instance, the collaboration will explore use of “digital twins” of complex, highly capital-intensive manufacturing facilities to standardize solutions where every percentage of efficiency gained is meaningful.

The collaboration will also explore minimizing energy use through advanced modeling of natural resources and environmental footprints across the value chain. To gain more information on product-related emissions, Intel will explore product and supply chain related modeling solutions with Siemens that drive data-based insights and help the industry accelerate progress in reducing its collective footprint.

Sustainable practices across the entire semiconductor lifecycle, including design, manufacturing, operation, efficiency, and recycling, are critical for meeting growing demand for powerful, sustainable chips. Technology has the power to accelerate solutions to reduce computing-related climate impacts across the technology industry and the rest of the global economy. Automation and digitalization hold the key to addressing the challenges as the industry drives toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. By combining their strengths and expertise, Siemens and Intel are poised to lead the way in driving positive change.

Forward-Looking Statements

Jamsil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea - January 29, 2022: Aerial and morning view of Lotte World Tower with apartments near Han River

South Korea selects the Embraer C-390 Millennium

December 4, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Seoul, South Korea, December 04, 2023 – South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has announced the Embraer SA ADR (NYSE: ERJ) C-390 Millennium as the winner of the Large Transport Aircraft (LTA) II public tender to provide the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) with new military transport aircraft. South Korea is the C-390 Millennium’s first customer in Asia.

Under the signed contract, Embraer will provide an undisclosed number of C-390 Millennium aircraft specially configured to meet ROKAF’s requirements, as well as services & support including training, ground support equipment and spare parts. The value of the contract will be included in Embraer’s backlog in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Embraer will also provide a comprehensive consortium and offset package including a significant amount of C-390 Millennium parts to be locally manufactured by Korean partner companies and the development of a local Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) provider.

South Korea is the seventh nation to select the C-390 after Brazil, Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria and the Czech Republic. The C-390 is redefining military airlift and challenging the thinking behind current and future generation platforms, with multi-mission capability, reliability and interoperability built by design.

Forward-Looking Statements

American Airlines unveils new international routes for 2024 travel

November 11, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN