LATAM Airlines Brazil has put in place more than 100 special operational measures to ensure efficient services for spectators and delegations during the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The strategy was developed over the past year by a multi-disciplinary team comprising people from various areas of the company.

The objective is to ensure the delivery of efficient and on-time services, particularly on key dates of the Games – such as the opening and closing ceremonies – when passenger traffic to Rio de Janeiro is expected to peak.

The company anticipates it will transport around 25 per cent of the public travelling by air to and from Rio de Janeiro during the Games.

Of the 4,500 Paralympic athletes competing, 30 per cent are expected to travel on LATAM Airlines Brazil.

Pre-event preparation included studies, procedure reviews, simulated exercises and additional training, which will be put into practice in August and September.

“LATAM is ready for the Olympic challenge,” said Eduardo Costa, senior director of services and innovation at LATAM Airlines Brazil.

“We began our preparations in June last year to speed up services for athletes, provide care for Paralympic athletes, accommodate special air cargo and coordinate large-scale simultaneous arrivals and departures in a single city.”

LATAM Airlines Brazil is investing up to R$20 million (approx. £4 million) in preparation for the Games, with R$15 million (approx. £3 million) allocated to special operations and R$5 million (approx. £1 million) set aside for potential contingencies during the events.

Key among the preparations is the development of a special control centre.

The multi-disciplinary team based Rio de Janeiro will operate 24 hours a day during the Games to coordinate potential operational challenges and quickly identify solutions to mitigate the impact on passengers.

At the same time over 1,000 airports, baggage and boarding area employees have been specially trained to handle mobility items, operate ambulift and lifting platforms and provide services to passengers with disabilities.