Latam Airlines chief says Iran conflict boosts tourism in South America

By the Editorial Team · Monday, November 2, 2026

Latam Airlines has experienced a 10 percent rise in European travelers to South America between March and September, driven by disrupted routes through Asia amid the conflict in Iran. This shift highlights South America’s growing appeal as a safer alternative destination and is prompting the airline to expand its fleet to better connect key hubs with Europe and the U.S.

The chief executive of Latam Airlines, South America’s largest carrier, has reported a notable increase in European tourists to the continent amid ongoing conflict in Iran, which has disrupted travel to Asia. Roberto Alvo said that since hostilities began in February, the airline has seen a significant rise in passenger numbers between Europe and South America, with a 10 percent increase in travelers between March and September compared to the same period in the previous year.

Alvo attributed the trend in part to South America’s geographical distance from the conflict, describing the region as “far” and “isolated” from the war. He noted that tourists are seeking alternative destinations as the war has complicated routes through Asia, particularly due to disruptions affecting Gulf carriers based in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha. Before the conflict, approximately one-third of journeys between Europe and Asia passed through these hubs, including nearly half of flights bound for Australia.

Although Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways have resumed full transfer services, passenger volumes have not yet returned to pre-conflict levels. This has contributed to a shift in travel patterns, with more Europeans opting for South America as a safer holiday option. According to Alvo, the influx includes both luxury travelers and budget tourists, reflected in increased bookings for hotels and lodges across the region.

The uptick in tourism has been observed beyond Latam Airlines. Data from OAG shows that bookings from major European airports to South American countries—excluding Venezuela—rose 6.5 percent in the first half of 2026 compared to the first half of 2025. Alvo highlighted hotspots such as Lima, Santiago, the northeast beaches of Brazil, Argentina, and Ecuador as experiencing heightened visitor numbers.

Alvo expressed optimism about South America’s potential to attract more long-haul visitors, drawing parallels with Mexico’s success in boosting tourism through targeted government policies. He suggested that South American countries could benefit from adopting similar strategies to promote the region globally.

To support expanding demand, Latam Airlines is introducing new long-range narrow-body aircraft. These additions are expected to improve connectivity between the airline’s hubs in Peru, Chile, Colombia, and Brazil and smaller destinations in the United States and Europe.

The ongoing shifts underscore broader changes in international travel as geopolitical tensions influence route availability and tourist preferences.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.