AA, LATAM connect with codeshares

American Airlines will benefit from new codeshare agreements with LATAM Airlines Group, signing accords with both Sao Paulo-based TAM Airlines and Bogota-based LAN Colombia.

New routes between Dallas/Fort Worth and Bogota and from Miami to Curitiba and Porto Alegre, Brazil will begin operations in late 2013.

The new codeshare opportunities and services represent American Airlines’ mission to enhance its expanding network throughout Latin America, providing customers with more options and flexibility.

“American’s new partnerships with TAM and LAN Colombia further strengthen our longstanding relationship with LATAM Airlines Group, Latin America’s largest and most premier airline group,” American Airlines chief commercial officer Virasb Vahidi said.

“As we continue to expand our presence in Latin America, the new routes to Brazil and Colombia are a direct response to the increasing customer demand for travel between the U.S. and Latin America.”

American Airlines now offers more service to South America than any other U.S. airline and boasts the most services between North America and Brazil.

LATAM Airlines’ customer access will also greatly improve with the addition of new destinations in the U.S. such as Boston, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Las Vegas and Seattle.

“The United States is a very important market for Colombia. More than 105,000 Colombian passengers currently travel to the US each year - for tourism or business,” LAN Colombia executive director Hernán Pasman said.

“As a result, this agreement strengthens the airline’s position in North America and offers more options by which Colombian passengers can take advantage of the network of more than 40 destinations that will be offered through the codeshare with American Airlines in North America.”  

Sourced: etravelblackboardasia