Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras (AD, São Paulo Viracopos) and LATAM Airlines Brasil (JJ, São Paulo Congonhas) have announced a codeshare agreement covering 50 non-overlapping domestic routes in Brazil out of Brasília Juscelino Kubitschek International, Belo Horizonte Tancredo Neves, Recife, Porto Alegre International, São Paulo Viracopos, Curitiba International, and São Paulo Guarulhos.
The two airlines will offer improved connections through major domestic hubs in Brazil. They will also extend frequent flyer benefits to members of the other carrier's programme. The codeshare will be implemented "over the next few years".
"This codeshare agreement will provide customers with access to two of the leading air travel networks in the country. We understand that the COVID-19 crisis requires innovative responses to help kick-start the economies of the region and today’s announcement is part of our contribution to this effort," LATAM Airlines Brasil chief executive Jerome Cadier said.
LATAM Airlines Group was a member of Oneworld until May 1, 2020, and is currently not affiliated with any of the major alliances. Despite its nascent joint venture with 20% shareholder Delta Air Lines, the Latin American group said it has no plans to join Skyteam any time soon. Azul is also unaffiliated with any major alliance, although its 8.2% shareholder United Airlines proposed adding it to the existing Copa Airlines/avianca airlines joint-venture.
