Sebastián Acuto has assumed the position of Vice President of Operations and Maintenance (COO) at LATAM Airlines Group, taking responsibility for the airline group’s Operations, Maintenance and Fleet areas.
Acuto succeeds Hernán Pasman, who stepped down from the position on August 31. His priorities include strengthening operational safety, punctuality and efficiency while continuing LATAM’s technology and digital transformation efforts.
17 years with LATAM
Acuto brings 17 years of experience within LATAM to the role. Since 2020, he has served as Director of Fleet and Projects, where he was responsible for the group’s fleet strategy and planning.
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During that period, he was involved in aircraft and engine contract negotiations during LATAM’s Chapter 11 restructuring, the introduction of Embraer E2 aircraft and the development of onboard products focused on passenger comfort, connectivity and operational efficiency.
Before becoming Director of Fleet and Projects, Acuto spent eight years as Director of Engineering and Maintenance and held other operational positions within the group. His previous roles included initiatives based on LEAN Six Sigma and continuous improvement methodologies.
Acuto said safety would remain the priority in his new position, while technology and data would play a greater role in anticipating operational issues, supporting decision-making and improving reliability and efficiency.
In a statement shared publicly after taking up the role, he also highlighted the importance of the teams working across Operations, Maintenance and Fleet and thanked Pasman for his contribution to the operation.
Focus on digitalisation and technology
Digitalisation is expected to remain an important part of Acuto’s agenda. The executive has identified data, artificial intelligence and automation as tools that can help address structural challenges in aviation, reduce errors and rework, and improve operational performance.
His experience combines airline operations, engineering, maintenance and fleet management with earlier consulting work. Before joining LATAM, Acuto worked at McKinsey & Company in Argentina, specialising in operational transformations and LEAN Six Sigma.
He holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires (ITBA) and an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business.
Acuto’s appointment gives LATAM an operations chief with extensive experience across the group’s engineering, maintenance and fleet functions as the airline continues to focus on operational reliability and technology-led efficiency.
