From LATAM Airlines to Wamos Air: Key Differences and What’s Next in Their Growing Partnership
LATAM leases 2 aircraft from Wamos to sustain key routes amid global delivery delays and cabin retrofits.
LATAM Airlines Group has added two Airbus A330 aircraft operated by Spain’s Wamos Air under a wet lease agreement, as part of a strategy to maintain its long-haul network amid a global shortage of new aircraft. This shortage is largely due to delivery delays from major manufacturers and ongoing cabin reconfigurations on LATAM’s Boeing 787-8s.
The move allows the airline to keep key routes operational from Santiago to Lima, Bogotá, Mexico City, and Los Angeles, without canceling flights or reducing connectivity. Notably, the Mexico City route has been exclusively operated by one of Wamos’s A330s throughout the current month.
Tactical move in a complex global context
According to a recent report by Diario Financiero, wet leasing has become increasingly common in the airline industry in response to aircraft availability challenges. Factors such as post-pandemic demand surges, industrial supply chain bottlenecks, and new regulatory hurdles in the U.S. and Europe have significantly impacted both Airbus and Boeing.
LATAM notes that the agreement with Wamos is temporary and is one of several steps taken to ensure operational continuity while awaiting delivery of 99 new aircraft from Airbus and Boeing, scheduled to arrive in stages through 2030. This order includes 84 Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft, and 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, with a combined list price value exceeding USD 19.9 billion.
LATAM’s current fleet includes 352 aircraft: 274 Airbus narrowbodies, 56 Boeing widebodies, and 20 Boeing freighters, plus the two A330s leased from Wamos.
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Operational visibility and passenger experience
While the A330s operate flights marketed by LATAM, passengers can easily identify them as operated by a third-party. Wamos crews wear their own uniforms and aircraft retain the Wamos livery, although LATAM provides onboard catering, entertainment, and customer service.
Some passengers have noted differences in cabin layout, such as tighter seat spacing or older entertainment systems. LATAM states it has undertaken cabin retrofitting to standardize the experience, including touchscreen displays with Disney, Max, and Paramount content, and USB ports at every seat.
A seasoned international partner
Wamos Air, formerly Pullmantur Air, is based in Spain and specializes in ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) leasing with a widebody fleet. The carrier has supported airlines like Air France, Iberia, Avianca, and Air Senegal, and claims the capability to deploy globally within three hours. It operates in over 200 airports across 87 countries.
LATAM has previously worked with Wamos during peak demand periods or operational disruptions. According to Sebastián Acuto, Director of Fleet and Projects at LATAM Airlines Group, Wamos is a trusted partner with a strong track record for punctuality and service continuity.
LATAM Airlines: fleet growth and future challenges
Since January 2023, LATAM has received 30 new aircraft, boosting its operational capacity by 12%. All additions are Airbus NEO family or Boeing 787 Dreamliners, in line with the group’s focus on efficiency and sustainability.
Still, LATAM faces the same industry-wide issue: manufacturer delays. According to IATA Director General Willie Walsh, the situation has reached a critical stage, and while it’s not expected to worsen, there are no signs of immediate improvement.
Given this outlook, wet lease agreements like the one with Wamos have become essential tools for safeguarding LATAM’s route network and growth trajectory, without compromising passenger service or regional connectivity.
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