CAA confirms reason for suspension of Latam Lima flight after just two months

The service, which began on 1 December, will be halted from 2 February until 30 March, the carrier confirmed in an agents’ advisory.

Passengers will be re-protected via Latam’s daily Sao Paulo-Heathrow route or via Madrid using partner Iberia for the connection to and from the Spanish capital.

Latam blamed “an operational restriction” by UK authorities for the suspension, which applies until the end of the UK winter flying season, shedding doubt over whether it will recommence during what will be the start of the South American winter.

“The restriction is not compatible with the dynamism with which Latam Airlines Peru has been promoting connectivity in the region and developing its operations in the rest of the countries around the world,” it said.

The CAA told TTG the carrier had breached rules on “interchange operations” where aircraft are transferred between different carriers. Latam fell foul of this because its fleet is registered in different countries. 

The CAA said: “We take a proactive approach to granting Foreign Carrier Permits to carriers welcoming the additional connectivity, choice and value they can offer consumers.

“While it is disappointing to see Latam has decided to suspend its operations, this is a choice of the company and not at the Civil Aviation Authority’s direction.

“The permit granted to Latam in October 2023 very clearly set out the basis upon which the company could undertake UK services and the operational requirements of such services. 

“When we became aware that Latam Peru was not acting in accordance with those restrictions in relation to its Lima – London services, we worked with the company to quickly put in place measures to allow those flights to be maintained and ensure passengers were supported whilst bringing the company back within the scope of that approval.”

Latam’s five flights a week from the Peruvian capital is the first non-stop link to London since British Airways axed its Gatwick service in 2021 after five years. The flight is operated by a two-cabin Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft offering 30 premium business seats and 217 economy.