Back in September, Delta surprised the aviation world with its unexpected announcement involving purchasing 20 percent of LATAM Airlines. The deal was completed on Tuesday, as Delta formally took ownership of shares in the South American carrier. In a statement, Steve Sear, Delta’s president of international and executive vice president of global sales said “We look forward to working with LATAM to create a truly world-class partnership that will give our customers unparalleled access throughout the Americas. Equity investments like this…
On Friday, Chilean ultra-low-cost carrier JetSMART operated its first flight in Brazil, connecting Santiago to the Northeastern capital of Salvador. This is the first of four weekly operations, which from the end of the summer season, will become two. This is the first of three new routes to South America's…
Avianca is celebrating 100 years of service as Latin America's longest operating airline. Avianca is currently the second oldest airline in the world with uninterrupted operations, coming a close second by less than two months after KLM Royal Dutch Airlines which also celebrated 100 years of service this past October.…
Argentina's political and economic situation has been boiling in recent months, bringing uncertainty to the recently-opened domestic aviation market of the South American country. What should have been a joyful week for Flybondi, Argentina's first ultra-low-cost carrier that just celebrated its two millionth passenger, turned into a media nightmare as…
Last week, domestic carrier Peruvian Airlines presumedly suspended operations following turbulent months of financial difficulties and discrepancies over tax values paid for two aircraft, which led to Peruvian authorities temporarily freezing the airline's bank accounts. Last night, however, the airline announced it was able to secure funding after a group…
After months of lobbying, discussions and even open verbal fights in the media, Azul finally announced the opening of sales for their operations in the Rio/Santos Dumont-São Paulo/Congonhas "Ponte Aérea" sector, Brazil's most desired route. This comes less than two weeks after the distribution of Avianca Brasil slots in Congonhas…
After months of lobbying, discussions and even open verbal fights in the media, Azul finally announced the opening of sales for their operations in the Rio/Santos Dumont-São Paulo/Congonhas "Ponte Aérea" sector, Brazil's most desired route. This comes less than two weeks after the distribution of Avianca Brasil slots in Congonhas…
While Avianca Brasil's slots may have been auctioned last week, the discussion may not yet come to an end. As legal uncertainty looms over the validity of this auction, the slot sale could be reverted. The main fight is over the slots in the oversaturated Congonhas Airport in São Paulo,…
The United States and Argentina yesterday ratified a new amendment to the bilateral 1985 Air Transport Services Agreement immediately lifting previously established reciprocity restrictions. The new agreement between U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao and Argentinian Minister of Transportation Guillermo Dietrich liberalizes the U.S.-Argentina to the extent that any U.S.…
The commercial aviation market in Brazil has had an intense first quarter this year. As the new government takes office, the markets are waiting anxiously for the promised economic reforms, reflecting in more investments and thus, accelerating demand. Most important, though, is the collapse of Avianca Brasil, which was the…
