Latam will reinforce its maintenance center in São Paulo to receive Embraer E2 aircraft.
Airline will invest in hangar and professional training in São Carlos to support fleet expansion.
Latam announced this Friday (26) an investment package in the company's maintenance center in São Carlos (SP), known as Latam MRO, considered the largest in Latin America. The project aims to prepare the structure to receive the new Embraer E2 jets, whose delivery is scheduled for 2026. The information was released by Valor Econômico.
During the event, which was attended by the Vice President of the Republic, Geraldo Alckmin, Latam inaugurated a new hangar, the result of a R$ 40 million investment, intended to enable heavy maintenance on large aircraft, such as the Boeing 787.
Fleet expansion and maintenance of the E2s
The airline confirmed on the 22nd the purchase of 24 Embraer E2 aircraft, in a contract valued at US$2,1 billion, with the possibility of including up to 50 additional units. To ensure the operation of these jets, the company has already begun adapting the MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) facility in São Carlos.
According to Jerome Cadier, CEO of Latam Brazil, the negotiation with Embraer was directly contingent on maintenance capacity in the interior of São Paulo state. “The use of MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) is a factor of competitiveness. When we started talks with Embraer, maintenance here in São Carlos was a 'sine qua non' condition for the deal to go through,” stated the executive.
Latam's forecast is to begin operations with the E2 within a year. Initially, some maintenance will be outsourced, but the plan is to consolidate all technical operations within São Carlos.
Training of skilled labor
MRO already accounts for approximately 70% of the maintenance on Latam's A320 fleet, which totals more than 280 single-aisle aircraft. To support this volume, the company launched a Training Center in 2024, certified by the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC), focused on training aircraft maintenance mechanics.
Classes began in São Carlos and will be extended to Guarulhos. This year, Latam opened external positions for the first time, attracting more than 1,7 applicants for 20 positions. The strong demand led to the creation of additional classes, with 80 students in total.
Partnerships for innovation and technology
Latam is also seeking external support to finance technology and capacity-building projects in the MRO sector. The company is participating in a call for proposals from the Financing Agency for Studies and Projects (Finep) in partnership with the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES).
According to Maria Elisa Curcio, director of corporate, regulatory and sustainability affairs at Latam Brazil, the initiative aims to strengthen the aerospace supply chain in São Paulo. “There is work being done to strengthen the aerospace industry in São Paulo. The industry is already very significant in the state,” highlighted the executive, mentioning São Carlos, with the Latam hub, and São José dos Campos, with Embraer.
The company's project was approved in the first phase of the bidding process, and the final result is expected in October.
