LATAM, Delta Air Welcome Brazil to Trans-American JVA

On Feb. 24, LATAM and Delta Air announced new routes would be added between North America and Brazil to their trans-American Joint Venture Agreement (JVA). This agreement will bring to the venture more and improved travel options, benefits to customers and shorter connections between North America and Brazil. Countries like the US and Chile are still in the application process to enter the JVA, while Uruguay has already been authorized. 

According to the official LATAM press release, Brazil’s final approval to join JVA was given by the Brazilian Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE). “This ruling reinforces the benefits of this type of agreement for travelers and enables us to advance in our commitment to delivering greater and better connectivity between South America and the world,” Roberto Alvo, LATAM Airlines Group CEO, stated. Delta CEO Ed Bastian added, “This final approval in Brazil furthers our mission to provide customers in this important market with the world-class travel experience and options they deserve. Moving forward, we will continue working with LATAM to unlock more benefits for our customers and create the premier airline alliance of the Americas.” 

Some of the goals of the alliance include allowing the purchase of tickets for a larger network of destinations, giving customers the option to redeem points and using them in more than 435 destinations worldwide, faster connections between terminals and reciprocal lounge access. 

Aeroméxico, a Mexican airline, is already participating in this venture. Delta owns 49 percent of Aerméxico’s shares and the company has signed a codeshare agreement with LATAM for flights between Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia, as well as for routes originating from Chile, with a layover in Mexico and final destination in the US. This codeshare brings opportunities to Aeroméxico, especially amid stricter travel restrictions and after having flights from Canada canceled, as reported by MBN. It could also bring new customers, which could help alleviate debt regarding rights of airspace use of Mexican airspace.