Aer Lingus owner IAG signs flight deal with LATAM Airlines

Agreement set to increase flight options between Europe and South America

Chile-headquartered LATAM Airlines has inked separate business agreements to deepen its ties with American Airlines and IAG's British Airlines and Iberia, members of the Oneworld Alliance.

“Throughout the implementation of the agreements, each airline will continue to operate independently and maintain control of their respective operations. These agreements will not cause any changes to the ownership or administration of the airlines,” the company said in a statement.

American and LATAM plan to apply for immunity from antitrust law, which would help the airlines coordinate schedules and prices for flights among their countries of operation.

If approved, the agreement between American and LATAM would improve connectivity between South America and the United States and Canada. The agreement between LATAM and IAG’s British and Iberia would increase flight options between Europe and Latin America.

READ MORE

“Customers will benefit from more frequent and convenient schedule options than the carriers could offer individually. Travellers headed to Latin America will soon have more seamless access to more than 100 additional destinations with LATAM beyond American’s already extensive network,” said Doug Parker, chairman and chief executive of American.

Reuters