LATAM Chile Pilots Strike Triggers 173 Cancellations Through Nov 17
LATAM Airlines (LA) pilots in Chile began a strike at 00:00 local time on November 12 after mediated talks failed. The work stoppage has already prompted at least 173 flight cancellations scheduled between November 12–17, affecting an estimated ~20,000 passengers, with disruptions concentrated on services to/from Santiago (SCL).
Who’s Striking & Why
Roughly 464 Chile-based pilots represented by Sindicato de Pilotos de LATAM (SPL) voted 97% on November 3 to reject the company’s latest offer. The union is seeking restoration of pre-pandemic employment conditions and benefits, which it frames as <1% of LATAM’s recent profits. Negotiations remain stalled.
Operational Impact (SCL and Beyond)
While LATAM initially indicated fewer than 10% of Chile O&D customers would be impacted, cancellations widened through the week, primarily hitting:
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Domestic Chile trunk routes and select international services to/from SCL
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Knock-on effects to onward connections via SCL (misconnect risk)
Schedules continue to evolve; expect rolling adjustments rather than a single, static list of cuts.
Passenger Options & Waivers
LATAM is offering flexible remedies for affected itineraries:
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Free date changes and voluntary rebooking without penalties
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Full refunds for tickets (and some related services) if you no longer wish to travel
Manage via the LATAM app or your booking channel; the airline is also contacting customers by email as plans update.
Tips If You’re Booked (SCL, Domestic Chile, or Transiting)
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Verify status repeatedly: don’t leave for the airport until your flight shows confirmed and on-time.
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Protect connections: if you’re transiting SCL, pad your layover or move a day earlier/later to widen rebooking options.
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Consider alternates: where practical, check nearby dates or alternate LATAM departures; same-day inventory will be tight on peak routes.
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Build in patience: app/phone queues will be long—self-service changes in the app/website are fastest.
What This Means For LATAM
Short-term implications include lost revenue, irregular-ops costs (customer care, reaccommodation, crew repositioning), and pressure on on-time performance. The situation is localized to Chile, limiting network-wide impact for now; risks rise if the stoppage extends or spreads to other groups.
What’s Next
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Watch for daily schedule updates and any Labor Directorate-facilitated talks resuming.
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If an agreement emerges quickly, expect a phased recovery as aircraft/crews realign.
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If talks drag, anticipate additional cancellations focused on SCL-centric flying.
Bottom Line
A strike by LATAM’s Chile-based pilots is disrupting Santiago (SCL) operations through November 17, with 173+ cancellations and ~20,000 customers affected so far. Check your flight often, use LATAM’s flex waivers to rebook or refund, and avoid heading to the airport until your trip is reconfirmed.
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