LATAM Airlines Perú
Peru-based airline and LATAM Airlines Group subsidiary operating scheduled domestic and international passenger services from Lima.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
LATAM Airlines Perú is a Peruvian scheduled airline based in Lima and a subsidiary of LATAM Airlines Group. Its principal hub is Jorge Chávez International Airport, from which it operates domestic services within Peru and international services linking the country with destinations elsewhere in South America and selected long-haul markets. The airline is the successor to LAN Perú and is commonly identified with the LATAM brand used across the wider Latin American aviation group. The company was established in Lima in July 1998 by Boris Hirmas Rubio, Lorenzo Sousa Debarbieri, Cristian Said, Javier Rodriguez Larrain and LAN-Chile. It began flying on 2 July 1999, initially connecting Lima with Cusco and Arequipa. The launch restored a substantial national airline presence in Peru after the collapse or disappearance of earlier major carriers, including Aeroperú and Faucett Perú. An international route to Miami followed on 15 November 1999, giving the young airline a significant connection to the United States. In September 2002, LAN Perú became a subsidiary of LAN Airlines. At that stage, the ownership structure described for the airline included LAN with a 49% stake, ER Larraín with 30% and Inversiones Aéreas with 21%. The airline was incorporated into the LAN Airlines holding structure in 2004. It expanded its fleet and technical capabilities during the following decade, adding Airbus A319 aircraft in 2006 to replace Boeing 737-200 aircraft used on domestic routes. In the same year, Peru’s aviation regulator authorized the company to operate as an Aeronautical Maintenance Workshop, allowing it to support LAN operations and potentially provide maintenance services to other operators with Peruvian registrations. LAN Perú became part of the corporate transformation that followed the merger of LAN Airlines and TAM Airlines. The LAN Perú legal entity was dissolved on 6 August 2015 after completion of the merger that created LATAM Airlines Group. The Peruvian operation subsequently adopted the LATAM brand, beginning its definitive operation under the new corporate identity on 5 May 2016. The group estimated the broader brand change would cost approximately US$60 million, although that figure relates to the group-wide rebranding rather than a separately reported cost for the Peruvian airline. LATAM Perú is positioned as a large-scale network carrier rather than a narrowly focused low-cost airline. Its offer centers on scheduled passenger transportation, domestic connectivity between Lima and major Peruvian cities, regional international services, and participation in the wider LATAM network. The airline has also maintained aircraft-support and maintenance capabilities associated with its Peruvian operation. The group’s international partnerships have included codeshare arrangements with Korean Air and WestJet, subject to the applicable route and commercial schedules. The airline’s operations were affected by the COVID-19 crisis and the financial distress experienced by LATAM Airlines Group. The group filed for Chapter 11 protection in the United States on 26 May 2020, citing the severe impact of the pandemic on aviation. LATAM Perú continued operating while the group negotiated its restructuring. During the pandemic, the Peruvian subsidiary also announced that it would distribute vaccines free of charge to fifteen provinces in Peru. In 2024, LATAM Perú and the group’s other airline subsidiaries began receiving a livery incorporating national colors. The airline remains an active LATAM-branded carrier serving Peru, with Lima as its central operating base.
History
LATAM Airlines Perú originated as LAN Perú, a new Peruvian airline established in Lima in July 1998 by Boris Hirmas Rubio, Lorenzo Sousa Debarbieri, Cristian Said, Javier Rodriguez Larrain and LAN-Chile. The company was created at a time when Peru lacked a dominant national airline following the demise of earlier carriers such as Aeroperú and Faucett Perú. Scheduled operations began on 2 July 1999 from Jorge Chávez International Airport, with flights to Cusco and Arequipa. The airline added a Lima–Miami service on 15 November of the same year, marking its first reported international operation. LAN Perú became a subsidiary of LAN Airlines in September 2002. The ownership structure then described for the business assigned 49% to LAN, 30% to ER Larraín and 21% to Inversiones Aéreas. In 2004, the company was incorporated into the LAN Airlines holding structure as the parent group changed its name. That year, a Peruvian court temporarily ordered the suspension of the airline’s flights over alleged irregularities in its incorporation. The decision became politically contentious, particularly after the governing party questioned the work of Judge Eloy Zamalloa, who had opposed the promulgation of a decree law relevant to the case. The airline expanded both its fleet and its technical infrastructure during the 2000s. In the third quarter of 2006, it added eight Airbus A319 aircraft intended to replace Boeing 737-200 aircraft on Peruvian domestic routes. In October 2006, the Directorate General of Civil Aeronautics authorized LAN Perú to operate as an Aeronautical Maintenance Workshop under authorization number 029. This allowed it to provide technical support for LAN operations and opened the possibility of maintenance work for other aircraft with Peruvian registration. In October 2009, the company received additional authorization to provide aircraft maintenance services. By 2008, it was reported to have carried approximately 3.5 million passengers, including about 2.9 million on domestic services. The airline’s corporate identity changed as part of the merger between LAN Airlines and TAM Airlines. The transaction was announced in 2010 and ultimately created LATAM Airlines Group, a major Latin American airline group. LAN Perú was dissolved as a separate legal entity on 6 August 2015 after completion of the merger process. The Peruvian operation then transitioned to the LATAM brand, officially and definitively adopting the new name and visual identity on 5 May 2016. The wider group estimated that its rebranding program would cost approximately US$60 million. LATAM Perú operates within the strategic and financial framework of LATAM Airlines Group. In September 2019, Delta Air Lines announced an agreement to acquire a 20% interest in the group for US$1.9 billion, and the transaction was reported as completed on 1 January 2020. The group also left the Oneworld alliance on 1 May 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic then produced severe disruption across the aviation industry. On 26 May 2020, LATAM Airlines Group filed for Chapter 11 protection in the United States, citing pandemic-related economic pressure. LATAM Perú continued operating while the group negotiated its restructuring and later participated in a public-health logistics initiative by offering free vaccine distribution to fifteen Peruvian provinces. A major operational accident occurred on 18 November 2022, when LATAM Perú Flight 2213, an Airbus A320neo, collided with a fire engine crossing the runway during takeoff from Jorge Chávez International Airport. Two firefighters were killed and a third was seriously injured. The aircraft carried 102 passengers and six crew members; everyone aboard escaped, although four passengers suffered serious injuries and 36 sustained minor injuries. In 2024, LATAM Perú and the group’s other subsidiaries began receiving a revised livery incorporating national colors. The airline remains active as a Lima-based network carrier serving Peru and international markets.
- 2024
National-color livery introduced
[1]LATAM Perú began receiving a livery incorporating national colors as part of a group-wide visual update.
- 2022
Flight 2213 runway collision
[1]A LATAM Perú aircraft collided with a fire engine during takeoff at Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport.
- 2020
LATAM Airlines Group files for Chapter 11
[1]The parent group sought Chapter 11 protection during the COVID-19 aviation crisis.
- 2016
LATAM brand adopted in Peru
[1]The Peruvian operation officially began operating under the LATAM Airlines identity on 5 May.
- 2015
LAN Perú is dissolved after the LATAM merger
[1]The LAN Perú legal entity was dissolved on 6 August after completion of the LAN Airlines and TAM Airlines merger.
- 2006
Airbus A319 fleet expansion
[1]Eight Airbus A319 aircraft were added for domestic operations and to replace Boeing 737-200 aircraft.
- 2006
Maintenance workshop authorization
[1]Peruvian aviation authorities authorized the airline to operate as an Aeronautical Maintenance Workshop.
- 2002
Becomes a LAN Airlines subsidiary
[1]LAN Perú became a subsidiary of LAN Airlines under a structure in which LAN held 49% of the airline.
- 1999
Scheduled operations begin
[1]The airline began domestic services from Lima to Cusco and Arequipa on 2 July.
- 1999
First international route added
[1]LAN Perú launched service to Miami on 15 November.
Products and positioning
A full-service network airline and major domestic carrier in Peru, combining Lima-based national connectivity with regional international routes and access to LATAM Airlines Group’s broader network.
Passenger aviation · 1999
Domestic passenger network
LATAM Perú’s domestic network connects Lima with major Peruvian cities, including the original destinations of Cusco and Arequipa. These services form the core of its role as a national network carrier and provide connections between the capital and Peru’s principal commercial, tourism and regional markets.
Passenger aviation · 1999
International passenger services
The airline operates scheduled international services from its Lima hub. Miami was added in 1999, and the carrier subsequently developed links with markets across South America and access to the wider LATAM network.
Air freight
Air cargo
LATAM Perú provides cargo capacity associated with its scheduled airline operation, including freight carried in aircraft belly hold space. A separately documented freighter product or dedicated cargo fleet is not specified in the available reference material.
Aviation technical services · 2006
Aircraft maintenance services
The Peruvian operation received authorization to function as an Aeronautical Maintenance Workshop in 2006 and later received authorization to provide aircraft maintenance services. The capability supports LATAM operations and may serve other aircraft with Peruvian registration.
Controversies
2022
Flight 2213 runway collision
On 18 November, Flight 2213 collided with a fire engine crossing the runway during takeoff at Jorge Chávez International Airport. Two firefighters died and a third was seriously injured; all people aboard the aircraft escaped.
2004
Court dispute over incorporation
A court order temporarily suspended LAN Perú flights over alleged irregularities in the company’s incorporation. The ruling led to political controversy and criticism of the judge involved.
Marketing campaigns
- 2020COVID-19 vaccine distribution support
Peru
LATAM Perú announced that it would help distribute vaccines free of charge to fifteen provinces in Peru during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Outcome. The initiative was described as logistical support for pandemic vaccination efforts; the available reference does not provide further delivery totals or operational results.
Brand decisions
2024
Adopt a national-color liveryOtherBackground
LATAM Airlines Group updated the visual identity of its country subsidiaries.
Action taken
LATAM Perú began receiving aircraft with a livery incorporating Peru’s national colors.
Aftermath
The change strengthened the visual association between the global LATAM identity and its Peruvian operation.
2020
Continue operations during parent-group restructuringStrategyBackground
The COVID-19 pandemic caused severe disruption to aviation and led LATAM Airlines Group to file for Chapter 11 protection in the United States.
Action taken
LATAM Perú continued operating while the group negotiated restructuring terms and also supported vaccine distribution in Peru.
Aftermath
The available reference confirms continued operations but does not provide detailed subsidiary-level restructuring outcomes.
2015
Integrate LAN Perú into LATAM Airlines GroupM&ABackground
The merger of LAN Airlines and TAM Airlines created LATAM Airlines Group and required the restructuring of the group’s country operations.
Action taken
LAN Perú was dissolved as a separate legal entity on 6 August 2015, with the Peruvian operation continuing within the LATAM structure.
Aftermath
The airline adopted the LATAM brand and began operating definitively under the new identity on 5 May 2016.
2006
Replace Boeing 737-200 aircraft with Airbus A319sGeneration changeBackground
The airline sought to modernize the fleet used for domestic Peruvian operations.
Action taken
Eight Airbus A319 aircraft were added during the third quarter of 2006.
Aftermath
The A319s were intended to replace Boeing 737-200 aircraft on domestic routes.
Sources1 sources
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