LATAM – the largest airline in Latin America – will receive its first aircraft purchased from Embraer, marking the first time in its history that it will operate planes produced by the Brazilian manufacturer.

In total, 24 E195-E2 jets will be added, which should strengthen its regional operations.

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The aircraft delivery event took place at LATAM’s main maintenance center (MRO) in São Carlos, São Paulo, and was attended by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin, and several ministers and airline directors.

“This is a long-awaited partnership,” said Lula, celebrating the completion of the deal.

Announced last year, the agreement between LATAM and Embraer is worth USD 2.1 billion and could be expanded further with the purchase of 50 additional jets.

“[This partnership] is important because we have the third-largest aircraft manufacturer in the world, our own Embraer,” added the president.

Lula’s visit comes at a time of expansion for the airline in Brazil, with investments estimated at USD 4 billion between 2023 and 2026 to grow its fleet and boost national and international connectivity.

“The E2 will combine a brilliant Embraer product with an outstanding service from LATAM. With this, we will be able to reach more cities than we do today and continue growing,” said LATAM Brazil CEO Jerome Cadier.

According to him, more than half of the sector’s growth in Brazil last year was driven by the company, which employs 22,500 people worldwide.

Embraer’s president, Francisco Gomes Neto, stated that the E195-E2 jet is highly efficient and that having the LATAM logo on the aircraft will increase the model’s international value.

“The E2 will create opportunities for LATAM to improve connectivity between smaller cities, in an aircraft that is highly efficient and very comfortable. For us, it is very important to have the LATAM logo on this plane, one of the largest airlines in the world. Behind each of these jets, there are many jobs,” Neto said, noting that Embraer employs 23,500 people in Brazil and worldwide.

Historic growth

Present at the event, Minister of Ports and Airports Sílvio Costa Filho said that LATAM’s investments reflect one of the best moments in the history of civil aviation in Brazil, which grew from 97.7 million air passengers in 2022 to 130 million in 2025.

“It was the largest growth in aviation in the world, which strengthened both business and leisure tourism. Our goal is to reach 140 million passengers by the end of December,” Filho said.

The first F-39E Gripen fighter jet produced in Brazil was presented Wednesday (Mar. 25) to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The christening ceremony for the supersonic aircraft, produced by Brazil’s plane maker Embraer and the Swedish Saab, took place at the Embraer Gavião Peixoto Airfield, in São Paulo state.

The production of the aircraft on Brazilian soil represents a milestone that places Brazil among “a select group of nations” capable of developing and producing highly complex combat aircraft – a first in Latin America – a note from the Planalto presidential palace says.

During the visit, Lula was also introduced to the eVTOL flying car. This prototype of a fully electric aircraft, which takes off and lands vertically, was developed by Embraer’s subsidiary Eve Air Mobility.

F-39 Gripen Fighter

The Brazilian Air Force believes the development of the F-39 Gripen fighter jet in Brazil will bring major benefits to the country.

It should strengthen air sovereignty, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and boosting the Defense Industrial Base, as the contract includes technology transfer and the training of Brazilian professionals.

A large number of jobs will be created through this project, which integrates the domestic industry into the sector’s global supply chain, the Air Force stated. The program has generated more than 2 thousand direct jobs and some 10 thousand indirect jobs.

Innovation, technology and defense

Brazil’s vice-President Geraldo Alckmin, who attended the event, noted that the government has made BRL 108 billion available through the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) for projects focused on innovation.

“Whoever masters technology masters the future,” said Alckmin, who also serves as minister of development, industry, trade, and services. “The defense industry is a safeguard for national sovereignty, as well as a leader in industrial development,” he added.

Defense Minister José Múcio highlighted, among the advantages of manufacturing the fighter jet in Brazil, access to cutting-edge technologies, which, he said, has a positive impact on the domestic industry.

“By investing in defense, our industry marks a milestone in maturity and competence, enabling Brazil to position itself as the largest manufacturing hub in Latin America. It will also consolidate our deterrent power, expanding our capacity to guarantee national sovereignty and regional security,” said the minister.