LATAM Makes In-House 787 MRO Investment

LATAM Airlines is boosting its in-house Boeing 787 MRO capacity following its recent order for 10 more of the aircraft Oct. 28. The airline has just invested 40 million Brazilian real (approximately $6.9 million) in a new hangar at its Sao Carlos MRO base that will enable it to perform 787 maintenance in-house.

LATAM’s 787 maintenance is currently performed outside of Brazil. Earlier this year, it signed an agreement with Amman, Jordan-based Joramco for 787 C checks. However, the carrier has been working to increase its in-house maintenance capabilities ahead of its upcoming fleet growth. LATAM operates 37 787s and it expects to operate a total of 52 of the aircraft type by 2030.

According to LATAM, the new maintenance hangar is its largest MRO investment in the last decade. In addition to increasing capability for more in-house MRO services in Sao Carlos, LATAM expects the hangar to reduce costs, provide greater flexibility and shorten turnaround times.

Beyond 787s, the new hangar will be able to accommodate up to three Airbus A320s simultaneously. It will also be equipped to paint large aircraft.

LATAM plans to carry over several advanced technologies already used at its Sao Carlos MRO base to the new hangar, including drone inspections and autonomous logistics carts. LATAM was the first Latin American airline to deploy Donecle drones, which it began trialing in 2019. It says drone-based inspections have made the process 12 times more efficient.

According to LATAM, the new hangar will also result in the creation of 300 new jobs, including aircraft mechanics, planners, engineers, buyers, warehouse workers and assistants. Its Sao Carlos MRO site currently employs 2,000 people and handles more than 60% of LATAM group’s scheduled maintenance.

The new hangar is expected to begin operations in September 2025.