Air TransportLATAM drops Rolls-Royce engines on Boeing 787-9 — here’s why
Why did LATAM Airlines stop using Rolls-Royce engines on its latest Dreamliner?
It’s not just about efficiency — it’s about avoiding the past.
On Thursday, the airline announced it had taken delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 equipped with GEnx engines, developed by GE Aerospace. The widebody jet, registration CC-BMB, departed from Charleston, South Carolina, bound for Santiago, Chile, on December 30, 2025.
A strategic switch: from Trent to GEnx
LATAM previously equipped its 787 fleet exclusively with Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. But the airline faced several availability issues with the model, which powers 37 aircraft in its fleet.
The move to GEnx engines signals a strategic shift — aiming to reduce maintenance-related downtime, improve operational flexibility, and lower emissions and fuel consumption.
“The combination of the Boeing 787-9 with GEnx engines allows us to take a significant step towards a more efficient and sustainable operation,” said Sebastián Acuto, Fleet and Projects Director at LATAM Airlines Group.
LATAM’s fleet keeps expanding
The new Dreamliner is part of a large fleet expansion. LATAM ended 2025 with 371 aircraft in operation, having added 26 new jets that year.
Looking ahead, the group plans to receive:
- 41 new aircraft in 2026, including the first 12 Embraer E195-E2
- 27 more in 2027, with highlights such as the Airbus A321XLR, capable of flying up to 8,400 km
- By 2030, LATAM expects to incorporate over 130 new aircraft, with newer models making up more than 50% of its fleet — a clear push toward sustainability and efficiency.
With ten 787s set to receive GEnx engines, LATAM reduces its exposure to risks tied to a single powerplant supplier.
Related: LATAM orders Embraer E195-E2 to expand regional fleet »
About the Author
Ricardo Meier
Creator of the website that started in 1996 as a magazine. He also writes on Brazilian websites AUTOO, MOTOO and MetrôCPTM.
