LATAM Airlines wants to increase its Kiwi trade presence in 2026 to nurture the growing interest in travel to South America.
The Sydney-based LA team hosted Kiwi agents and trade partners this week as its Oceania manager Alberto Chico Garcia says his team received ‘fantastic’ feedback from the trade. The current air capacity for Kiwis flying the Auckland to Santiago route is higher than ever, he says. “There’s a lot of interest in South America, and we want to work closer with the trade to stimulate that interest.” The airline’s previous Sydney- AKL-SCL route had limited capacity for local boarding, but he says the current five times weekly AKL-SCL service has increased capacity for Kiwis by approximately 50%. “We anticipate stronger demand in 2026 as interest in South American travel continues to grow. New Zealand is very, very important. We really want to be present and develop that South American Destination.” LA plans to work closely with Auckland Airport and to increase its marketing efforts in 2026. He says the team intends to visit for more Kiwi trade conferences and host roadshows across the country. Most Kiwis, he says, use the route as a connecting flight to some of LA’s 135 destinations within South America. Top destinations for Kiwis include Machu Picchu, the Galápagos and Patagonia.
. . . New Seat Class
LA’s new premium business suite will be rolled out on its AKL to SCL flights in the coming months, as part of the airline’s 787-9 fleet currently being retrofitted. The new product features a closed suite including a full flat recline and all aisle access.
. . . Pictured
- Ana Azevedo and Felipe Rojas from the Latin America New Zealand Business Council.
- LATAM’s Shalina Sabar and X Travel’s Tori Keating.
