American Airlines Group recently praised the Brazilian Senate for ratifying an Open Skies agreement with the United States.
In January 2016, American proposed a joint business agreement with Brazil’s LATAM Airlines Group. The joint business would cover travel between the U.S. and Canada and Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay, and would offer customers lower airfares and increased connectivity.
Regulatory approval was received from Uruguay in November 2016, from Colombia in May 2017 and from Brazil in October 2017.
An Open Skies agreement is required before the U.S. Department of Transportation gives its approval.
“American has long advocated for the approval of an Open Skies policy between the U.S. and Brazil,” Doug Parker, American Airlines chairman and CEO, said. “Open Skies agreements have proven to increase travel choices and enhance competition, resulting in greater benefits for consumers and positively impacting economic growth. American applauds the actions of the Brazilian Congress to approve this Open Skies agreement with the U.S., paving the way for the approval and implementation of our joint business with LATAM.”
American operates nearly 90 weekly flights to Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and other Brazilian destinations from its hubs in Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami and New York.