Pena Meets LATAM CEO: New Asuncion-Montevideo Flights

President Santiago Pena of Paraguay recently met with Roberto Alvo, the CEO of LATAM Airlines Group. Alvo also serves as president of the International Air Transport Association, known as IATA. During the

meeting they celebrated 30 years of LATAM Paraguay. They shared good news for the country. A new direct route between Asuncion and Montevideo will start. There will also be more flights to Lima and Sao Paulo.

When an airline decides to add new flights, it shows growing interest in a country. More air connections open doors for tourism. They also help attract investment and strengthen international exchange. The Paraguayan government continues to create conditions that encourage private companies to invest and create development opportunities.

LATAM Paraguay is the country’s main airline. It operates from Silvio Pettirossi International Airport in Asuncion. The company already connects the capital with key cities such as Lima, Sao Paulo and Santiago. The new Asuncion-Montevideo route will improve direct travel with Uruguay. Passengers will find it easier to move between the two capitals. Business travelers and tourists will both benefit from the shorter and more convenient option.

President Pena’s government has focused on expanding air links. In recent years the number of passengers using Paraguay’s airports has risen steadily. In 2025 the country recorded a historic high of more than 1.3 million passengers. That figure surpassed even the levels seen before the pandemic. Silvio Pettirossi Airport now serves several international airlines. These include Copa Airlines, Avianca, Air Europa, Flybondi and GOL, among others.

Officials are working to position Paraguay as a regional air hub. The country’s location helps in this goal. Asuncion sits at similar distances from Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo and Santiago. This makes it a natural meeting point for regional travel. Low-cost carrier Flybondi from Argentina has also launched flights to Asuncion. The company is taking steps to operate under a Paraguayan flag.

South American countries have taken steps toward more open skies. Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Paraguay signed the ALAS agreement. The pact aims to gradually free up air transport rules among the four nations. This should make it simpler for airlines to open new routes. Paraguay plays an active role in these regional efforts.

Tourism stands to gain from the extra flights. More international visitors will be able to reach the country with greater ease. Paraguay offers natural attractions, areas near the Iguazu Falls region and cultural sites. Better air access should support hotels, restaurants and local businesses. Investors will also find it simpler to visit, which can lead to new jobs and projects.

Roberto Alvo has led LATAM through difficult years, including the pandemic recovery. He now chairs the IATA board. His meeting with President Pena signals that major international carriers see potential in Paraguay. The decision to add routes reflects rising demand for travel to and from the country.

The government is also looking at domestic connections. Plans are under way to restart flights between Asuncion and cities such as Ciudad del Este and Encarnacion. These links would make travel inside the country easier and support regional economies.

Overall, the new flights mark a positive step for Paraguay’s economy. Stronger air connectivity supports trade, tourism and investment at the same time. The government keeps encouraging private companies to stay and grow in the country. The world is paying closer attention to the opportunities Paraguay offers, and these new routes form one clear part of that progress.