Who said that LAN would fly PT Registered aircraft...?
As an owner of an airline (51% or more) gives you the right to "lease" out routes. So you take a profitable route and let CC registered aircraft do the work at a lower cost increasing profit margins... Thats what we call "5th freedom right" in the airline business.
Of course those other crews will then not be needed and that's were the fear of lay-offs come.
Now, to fly domestic ("Cabotage") is a whole different ball-game. In most S. American countries you need a validated license and have the right to work in that country.
But I did not know that you are required to be a "citizen" of Brazil to fly a PT- registered aircraft. A LOA from the DGAC in Brazil should do. The only country I know of that does not accept foreigners flying country-registered aircraft is Mexico, and there you don not just have to be a citizen, by law you are required to be born in Mexican Territory. I saw that a few companies there dry-lease N- registered aircraft for that purpose...
Happy New Year everyone...
Eagle