Latam becomes largest airline yet driven to bankruptcy

Emergency situation: The bankruptcy filing highlights the financial weakness of Latin America’s carriers in light of the coronavirus pandemic. — AFP

SAO PAOLO: Latam Airlines Group, the continent’s largest carrier, filed for US bankruptcy protection on Tuesday, becoming the world’s largest carrier so far to seek an emergency reorganisation due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The filing highlights the financial weakness of Latin America’s carriers, following a similar bankruptcy earlier this month by the region’s No. 2 airline, Avianca Holdings.