ANZ Faces Legal Battle as Former CEO Shayne Elliott Sues Over A$13.5 Million Bonus Dispute 
Fortescue Expands Copper Portfolio With Full Takeover of Alta Copper 
Evercore Reaffirms Alphabet’s Search Dominance as AI Competition Intensifies 
Rio Tinto Signs Interim Agreement With Yinhawangka Aboriginal Group Over Pilbara Mining Operations 
Nomura Expands Alternative Assets Strategy With Focus on Private Debt Acquisitions 
SoftBank Eyes Switch Inc as It Pushes Deeper Into AI Data Center Expansion 
Intel’s Testing of China-Linked Chipmaking Tools Raises U.S. National Security Concerns 
California Jury Awards $40 Million in Johnson & Johnson Talc Cancer Lawsuit 
Apple App Store Injunction Largely Upheld as Appeals Court Rules on Epic Games Case 
United Airlines Tokyo-Bound Flight Returns to Dulles After Engine Failure 
HSBC’s $13.6 Billion Take-Private Offer for Hang Seng Bank Gains Board Backing 
United Airlines Flight to Tokyo Returns to Dulles After Engine Failure During Takeoff 
Strategy Retains Nasdaq 100 Spot Amid Growing Scrutiny of Bitcoin Treasury Model 
Coca-Cola’s Proposed Sale of Costa Coffee Faces Uncertainty Amid Price Dispute 
CMOC to Acquire Equinox Gold’s Brazilian Mines in $1 Billion Deal to Expand Precious Metals Portfolio 
iRobot Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Amid Rising Competition and Tariff Pressures 
SK Hynix Considers U.S. ADR Listing to Boost Shareholder Value Amid Rising AI Chip Demand 
LATAM Airlines announced a significant shift in its fleet expansion strategy on Wednesday, revealing that it has abandoned efforts to acquire Boeing B737 aircraft. The plan was previously considered acquiring planes from the bankrupt Brazilian carrier Gol or other sources. The decision comes after failed discussions and Gol's accusations towards LATAM for attempting to poach its planes and pilots amid Gol's filing for bankruptcy protection in the U.S. in January.
Reuters reported that following the unsuccessful negotiations, LATAM sought to acquire B737s that Gol could potentially release as part of its restructuring efforts.
Gol's Lease Renegotiation and LATAM's Strategic Pivot
According to US News, Gol is currently navigating through bankruptcy, aiming to renegotiate terms for 90 aircraft leases by the end of May. LATAM, meanwhile, did not disclose the number of planes it hoped to secure from Gol's fleet. The deal's collapse was attributed to Gol's "lack of meaningful engagement," as stated in a letter LATAM filed in the bankruptcy case.
Despite Gol's declined to comment on the matter, LATAM voiced its frustrations over the scarcity of available B737 aircraft and Gol's non-cooperation, forcing LATAM to seek alternative narrowbody aircraft to meet the growing consumer demand.
Broader Industry Impacts and Boeing 737 MAX Production
The airline industry has faced numerous challenges recently, including safety concerns that have slowed Boeing's production of its best-selling aircraft, the 737 MAX. These challenges were compounded when the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) halted Boeing's expansion of its 737 MAX production following a cabin blowout incident on an Alaska Airlines flight.
With Boeing given a 90-day period to address these systemic quality-control issues, and already halfway through, the industry watches closely. LATAM's pivot away from the B737 amid these tumultuous times illustrates the complex dynamics and rapid strategic adjustments airlines must make to navigate the contemporary aviation landscape.
Photo: Airbus Newsroom
