LATAM Airlines Colombia
A Colombian scheduled airline and LATAM Airlines Group subsidiary, originally established as AIRES and later branded LAN Colombia.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
LATAM Airlines Colombia is a Colombian airline headquartered at El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá, where it operates its principal hub. The carrier provides scheduled domestic passenger services within Colombia and domestic cargo transportation, while its wider network and commercial relationships connect it with regional destinations and the broader LATAM Airlines Group system. It is generally described as Colombia’s second-largest air carrier after Avianca. The airline was established on 2 October 1980 under the name AIRES and began operating on 23 February 1981 with a small aircraft fleet. During its early years, it used turboprop aircraft including the Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante and Fairchild F27. The company initially concentrated on domestic connectivity, serving Colombian cities that were not always well covered by the country’s principal trunk-route airlines. Competition increased during the 1990s, particularly after the emergence of AeroRepública, and AIRES responded with a limited regional expansion into neighboring Venezuela and Ecuador. A significant stage of geographic growth began in November 1998, when AIRES established a base in Barranquilla to strengthen service to Colombia’s Caribbean region. The airline connected Barranquilla with destinations including Cartagena, Santa Marta, Valledupar and Corozal. On 13 December 2000, it began international operations with twice-weekly service from Barranquilla to Oranjestad in Aruba, later adding Willemstad in Curaçao. These routes gave the carrier an early international profile while retaining a strong Colombian domestic focus. AIRES introduced a corporate image and stationery redesign in 2004. From 2009, the airline entered a new competitive phase as it expanded onto trunk routes and incorporated jet aircraft. It adopted a lower-fare positioning intended to compete more directly with Avianca and AeroRepública, helping shift its business from a mainly regional turboprop operator toward a broader scheduled carrier. LAN Airlines announced in October 2010 that it had acquired a controlling interest in AIRES. The transaction was completed in November 2010, with LAN taking approximately 98.9% of the shares and assuming the airline’s debt. AIRES was subsequently incorporated into LAN’s holding structure. On 3 December 2011, the carrier was renamed LAN Colombia. Following the creation of LATAM Airlines Group through the combination of LAN and TAM, LAN Colombia adopted the LATAM Airlines Colombia name in 2016. Today, the brand’s role is centered on domestic Colombian passenger service and cargo operations, supported by Bogotá’s El Dorado hub and the resources, network relationships and brand platform of LATAM Airlines Group. Its operating history also includes several serious safety and security incidents, including the 2010 San Andrés landing accident, although the available reference material does not identify the airline as having been involved in a corporate scandal.
History
LATAM Airlines Colombia began as AIRES, founded in Colombia on 2 October 1980 and commencing operations on 23 February 1981. Its original fleet consisted of small aircraft, later including the Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante and Fairchild F27. The early airline focused on domestic service and regional connectivity, operating routes linking Colombian cities and communities outside the main network of the country’s largest carrier. The competitive environment changed during the 1990s. In 1990, AIRES recorded a decline in passenger traffic, while the arrival and expansion of AeroRepública in November 1992 increased pressure in the Colombian market. AIRES responded with modest international and regional growth, adding service to neighboring Venezuela and Ecuador. In November 1998, it opened a base in Barranquilla, substantially reinforcing its presence in Colombia’s Caribbean region. From that base it served cities such as Cartagena, Santa Marta, Valledupar and Corozal. AIRES began its first international route on 13 December 2000, operating twice-weekly service between Barranquilla and Oranjestad, Aruba. It later added Willemstad, Curaçao. The company also undertook a corporate image and stationery redesign in 2004, an investment described in the reference material as costing close to one billion Colombian pesos, although no independent financial documentation is provided here. A further transformation took place from 2009, when AIRES expanded onto trunk routes and introduced jet aircraft. It adopted a lower-fare model intended to compete with Avianca and AeroRepública. This development broadened the airline’s market role from a small regional operator to a more prominent domestic competitor. LAN Airlines announced in October 2010 that it had agreed to acquire a controlling stake in AIRES. The purchase was completed in November, with LAN acquiring approximately 98.9% of the shares, assuming the company’s debt and incorporating AIRES into its holding company. On 3 December 2011, AIRES was renamed LAN Colombia. The carrier later became part of the LATAM Airlines Group structure after LAN and TAM combined. In 2016, it adopted the LATAM Airlines Colombia name. The airline is based at El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá, its main hub. Its core activities are scheduled domestic passenger services and domestic cargo operations, supplemented by regional connectivity and airline partnerships. The airline’s history includes a number of notable operational incidents: a fatal mountain crash in 1995, a 2002 hijacking, two non-fatal landing-gear and runway accidents in 2008, the serious 2010 San Andrés landing crash, and a 2022 emergency landing after a nose-wheel problem. These events are operational and safety matters rather than identified corporate scandals. The available reference material does not supply a current executive roster, detailed financial information, or a complete current route and fleet list.
- 2016
Renamed LATAM Airlines Colombia
[1]The Colombian carrier adopted the LATAM Airlines Colombia name after the creation of LATAM Airlines Group.
- 2011
Renamed LAN Colombia
[1]AIRES changed its name to LAN Colombia on 3 December 2011.
- 2010
LAN Airlines acquires AIRES
[1]LAN Airlines acquired approximately 98.9% of AIRES and assumed its debt.
- 2009
Expansion onto trunk routes
[1]AIRES entered a new phase by adding jet aircraft, expanding onto trunk routes and adopting a lower-fare competitive approach.
- 2004
Corporate identity redesign
[1]The airline changed its corporate image and stationery as part of a brand investment.
- 2000
First international route
[1]AIRES began international operations with a Barranquilla–Oranjestad route in Aruba, later adding Curaçao.
- 1998
Barranquilla base opens
[1]AIRES opened a Barranquilla operating base and expanded service across Colombia’s Caribbean region.
- 1992
Competition intensifies with AeroRepública
[1]The entry and growth of AeroRepública increased competition in Colombia, prompting AIRES to pursue limited regional expansion.
- 1981
Commercial operations begin
[1]AIRES began airline operations on 23 February 1981 with a small aircraft fleet.
- 1980
AIRES is founded
[1]The airline that later became LATAM Airlines Colombia was founded in Colombia on 2 October 1980 under the name AIRES.
Products and positioning
A full-service network airline with a historically competitive, lower-fare orientation in Colombia and access to LATAM Airlines Group’s regional platform.
Airline passenger transportation · 1981
Domestic passenger services
Scheduled passenger flights linking Bogotá and other Colombian cities. The domestic network is the airline’s central commercial activity and developed from AIRES’s original regional operation into a broader trunk-route network.
Air cargo
Domestic cargo services
Scheduled domestic cargo transportation using the airline’s Colombian operating network. Cargo is a distinct part of the carrier’s stated activity alongside passenger flying.
International passenger transportation · 2000
Regional international services
The airline developed limited international connectivity from its Barranquilla base, beginning with Aruba in 2000 and later serving Curaçao and neighboring regional markets. The exact current international schedule is not specified in the reference material.
Brand decisions
2016
Adopted the LATAM Airlines Colombia identityOtherBackground
The merger of LAN and TAM created LATAM Airlines Group and a unified group brand.
Action taken
LAN Colombia was renamed LATAM Airlines Colombia.
Aftermath
The Colombian carrier continued as the group’s Colombian airline brand.
2011
Rebranded as LAN ColombiaOtherBackground
The acquisition by LAN Airlines created the basis for integrating AIRES into the LAN brand architecture.
Action taken
AIRES began operating as LAN Colombia on 3 December 2011.
Aftermath
The airline operated as LAN Colombia until the later LATAM-wide rebranding.
2010
LAN Airlines acquires AIRESM&ABackground
LAN Airlines sought to bring the Colombian carrier into its airline holding structure.
Action taken
LAN acquired approximately 98.9% of AIRES and assumed the airline’s debt.
Aftermath
AIRES became a LAN subsidiary and was renamed LAN Colombia in December 2011.
2009
Adopted a lower-fare trunk-route strategyStrategyBackground
AIRES faced competition from established Colombian airlines while seeking to move beyond a small regional turboprop operation.
Action taken
The airline added jet aircraft, expanded onto trunk routes and adopted a lower-fare positioning.
Aftermath
The move placed AIRES in more direct competition with Avianca and AeroRepública and broadened its domestic market presence.
Recent events
LATAM Colombia inaugurates five new routes[2]
Reported:
LATAM Colombia inaugurated five new domestic routes in Colombia, connecting Cali, Medellín and Pereira with additional destinations.
LATAM Colombia to add three A320 aircraft[2]
Reported:
LATAM Colombia said it would add three Airbus A320 aircraft to its Colombian fleet during December to support growth of its domestic network.
Sources2 sources
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