IATA AGM Heads to Rio in 2026

Posted on June 4, 2025 by Critical Divide

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), that represents some 350 airlines comprising over 80% of global air traffic, has confirmed that its 82nd AGM will be held in Rio de Janeiro from 6 to 8 June 2026 hosted by LATAM Airlines Group.

The last time the IATA AGM was in South America was in 1999, also in Rio, and before that for Brazil was 1947 when it was held in Petropolis.

Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, said: “It will be a great opportunity to take stock of changes over two decades of development that have seen strengthening air connectivity successfully support major world events like the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics. By meeting in the largest aviation market in South America, the AGM will highlight the great potential for aviation to be an even more powerful strategic force driving social and economic prosperity.”

Appropriately Rio reflects Brazil’s rich history in aviation, dating back to the pioneering efforts of Alberto Santos-Dumont, one of the fathers of aviation, whose historic flight in 1906 marked a significant milestone in the development of powered flight.

LATAM Flies the National Colours

Posted on January 12, 2024 by Critical Divide

LATAM Airlines has painted a number of its Airbus A320s in the colours of the countries it serves. These include Brazil, Chile, Peru, Colômbia and Ecuador.

Virgin Atlantic to fly between UK & Brazil as of 2020

Posted on March 22, 2019 by Critical Divide

Following in the jet stream o Norwegian, it is now the turn of Virgin Atlantic to announce direct flights between the UK and Brazil. In this case a daily service as of 2020 from London Heathrow to São Paulo using the Boeing 787-9, Dreamliner, with an Upper Class, Premium and Economy Delight, Classic and Light offering.

This will be Virgin’s first South American route and it will join British Airways and LATAM Airlines in flying the London-São Paulo route direct, making Heathrow a very competitive hub to travel to-and-from Brazil and the rest of the south of South America.

Norwegian is scheduled to start flying direct to-and-from Rio de Janeiro and London Gatwick as of 31 March 2019. Norwegian will also use the Dreamliner. Briitish Airways also offers a daily direct service from London Heathrow to Rio de Janeiro.

LATAM opens its new airport lounge in São Paulo

Posted on October 28, 2014 by Critical Divide

The LATAM Airline Group has opened its new VIP lounge at the new Terminal 3 in São Paulo International Airport in Guarulhos, that will benefit pasengers connecting to-and-from Rio de Janeiro over São Paulo.

The lounge is for passengers flying with TAM or LAN in business or first, as well as passengers flying on oneworld alliance members that include British Airways, American, and Iberia.

The lounge covers an area of 1.800 m², and can accommodate 450 passengers at any one time. It operates daily from 05.00 to midnight.