LATAM Airlines was a major airline conglomerate formed by the merger of Chile's LAN Airlines and Brazil's TAM Airlines in 2012. It became the largest airline group in Latin America and one of the most significant in the world at the time.
LATAM operated flights to various destinations across the Americas, Europe, Oceania, and beyond. It had a vast network covering domestic routes within several Latin American countries as well as international flights to major cities worldwide.
The merger of LAN and TAM created a powerhouse in the South American aviation market. It aimed to consolidate operations, optimize routes, and enhance services to better serve passengers across the region and globally.
However, in May 2020, LATAM Airlines Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States due to the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the aviation industry. The pandemic resulted in a significant decrease in air travel demand, leading to financial strain for many airlines worldwide.
During the bankruptcy process, LATAM underwent restructuring to address its debts and reorganize its operations. The company aimed to emerge from bankruptcy as a leaner, more financially stable airline.