Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras (AD, São Paulo Viracopos) is in discussions to join the proposed Latin American joint business agreement between Star Alliance member airlines United Airlines (UA, Chicago O'Hare), Avianca (Bogotá), and Copa Airlines (CM, Panamá City Tocumen International), the carrier said in a statement relayed by Reuters.
No further details were available, although United from its side also mentioned adding Azul to the partnership.
"We have been working really hard with a great set of partners, Copa, Avianca and Azul, and we are going to put together a fantastic joint business and we are going to be competitive in the region as a group in a way that I think has actually just been enhanced over the last few weeks," President Scott Kirby said during the recent earnings call.
While Azul is not affiliated with any alliance, it is linked to United through equity - the American carrier owns an 8.2% stake in the Brazilian firm.
The Latin American strategic affiliations are currently in flux after Delta Air Lines (DL, Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson) announced in September 2019 that it will buy a 20% stake in LATAM Airlines Group, previously a commercial and alliance partner of American Airlines (AA, Dallas/Fort Worth). Delta will concurrently sell its stake in GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes (G3, São Paulo Congonhas), which has been reportedly discussing a new partnership with American Airlines. Star Alliance itself lost one of its Latin American footholds earlier this year with the bankruptcy of Avianca Brasil (São Paulo Congonhas). Azul has previously rejected the idea of it joining the alliance and said it will focus on joint ventures instead. Avianca Holdings announced a new codeshare agreement with Azul on September 25 already.
