Gerald Lynch
South America’s largest airline company, LATAM, has landed in Melbourne for the first time since 2020.
LATAM, which provide direct flights from Melbourne to Chile were one of many airlines to be temporarily discontinued into Melbourne Airport, as a result of lack of international flights throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Melbourne Airport chief executive Lorie Argus, sees the re-introduction of LATAM as another strong step towards normality post-Covid,
“LATAM’s return takes our overall international capacity back to 97 per cent of pre-pandemic levels and by the end of the year we expect to be back at 100 per cent,” she said.
LATAM Airlines country manager – Oceania Chris Ellis said the airline is excited to have taken up residence again at Melbourne Airport.
“Thanks to the support of Melbourne Airport and the Victorian Government, we can now meet the strong demand for travel to South America”, he said.
Flights will initially operate three times a week, departing Santiago, Chile for an 11,000-kilometre journey across on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to arrive in Melbourne the following day.
Services from Melbourne to Santiago depart on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, offering a direct link for local passengers into Chile and beyond.
