kabarsula LATAM profit climbs 16% despite fuel squeeze bandar SLOT INDONESIA

LATAM Airlines Group has posted third-quarter net income of AU$631 million, as revenue growth outpaced a 52 per cent jump in fuel prices.

Revenue rose 18.4 per cent year on year to AU$6.6 billion, while adjusted EBITDA totalled AU$1.6 billion.

Adjusted operating income was AU$819 million, but the adjusted operating margin fell to 12.5 per cent from 18.1 per cent in the third quarter of 2025.

The results came as average fuel prices increased 52.1 per cent, representing an impact of about AU$744 million.

Capacity grew 7.7 per cent and the load factor was 83.7 per cent, while passenger revenue climbed 17.8 per cent to AU$5.7 billion.

Premium segment revenue jumped 23 per cent and LATAM Pass membership reached 57 million, up 9 per cent.

The carrier this year enhanced its Premium Business offering with a refreshed and more spacious design, upgraded dining and sustainable amenity kits, all taking inspiration from the flavours and landscapes of South America. 

A new Premium Comfort cabin is also due to launch from late 2026 on select routes, including Sydney–Santiago from 2027, while Wi-Fi has been progressively rolled out across the wide body fleet.   

Expected 2026 revenue

The airline now expects full-year 2026 revenue of AU$25.2 billion–AU$25.5 billion, with adjusted EBITDA of AU$5.6 billion–AU$5.8 billion, assuming a fourth-quarter fuel price of US$180 per barrel.

Chief financial officer Ricardo Bottas said the results showed the strength of the group’s business model “even amid persistent volatility in fuel prices”. He also pointed to recent credit rating upgrades from S&P Global and Fitch.

“The network, differentiated value proposition, and financial position continue to be fundamental drivers in earning customer preference and delivering results,” Bottas said.

These strengths are further reinforced by the recent credit rating upgrades from S&P Global and Fitch, which provide additional recognition of the group’s progress and the strength of its business and financial profile.”

LATAM raises the bar

The group operated 390 aircraft at the end of September, after adding seven during the quarter – three Airbus A320neo, three A321neo and one Boeing 787-9.

The airline operates daily direct services to Santiago, Chile from Sydney, and frequent flights between Melbourne and Santiago.

In October, LATAM Airlines Brazil took delivery of its first two Embraer E195-E2s, the first of 14 planned for the initial phase. Operations begin on 30 November across 42 domestic routes.

LATAM was also named Airline of the Year 2027 by Air Transport World – the first Latin American group to win it. At the Skytrax World Airline Awards it collected eight accolades, including Best Airline in South America for the seventh consecutive year and Best Airline Staff in South America for the fifth.