A LATAM Brasil Airbus A321-200, performing flight from Sao Paulo Guarulhos to Porto Alegre (Brazil), reported engine problem.

• Aircraft was climbing out of Sao Paulo’s runway 09L when the crew stopped the climb at FL070 after an engine (CFM56) suffered surges, observers on the ground reported streaks of flame from the engine exhaust.
• The crew returned to Sao Paulo for a safe landing on runway 27L about 40 minutes after departure. A runway inspection found no debris on the departure runway.
• A passenger reported the crew announced the engine possibly ingested a bird.
• A replacement A321-200 registration PT-XPQ reached Porto Alegre with a delay of 4 hours.