Delta Air Lines and LATAM Airlines announced today that the Civil Aeronautics of Colombia issued its authorization without conditions to the joint venture between both companies, thus adding to those already obtained in Brazil and Uruguay.
This agreement «will improve air connectivity and provide passengers and cargo customers with a fluent travel experience between South America and North America once regulatory approvals have been obtained,» the airlines said in a statement.
The challenge of obtaining approval in Chile is still pending, a country that in 2019 was able to block a similar one that LATAM was seeking with American Airlines, and after which Delta’s purchase of 20% of the Latin American airline was rushed.
Since then, both companies have been getting closer and closer by combining benefits among their clients affiliated with frequent flyer programs, codeshare on specific routes, shared terminals in hubs and a bilateral agreement to use 35 Delta Sky Club lounges in the United States and five LATAM VIP lounges in South America.
Considering May schedule, Delta will operate 35 weekly flights in each direction between the United States and South America, connecting Atlanta with Bogotá, Buenos Aires / Ezeiza, San Pablo / Guarulhos, Lima, Santiago de Chile and Quito; and New York / JFK with Bogotá.
LATAM Airlines for its part will operate 42 weekly flights per direction in May, linking São Paulo / Guarulhos with New York / JFK and Miami; Lima with New York / JFK, Los Angeles and Miami; and Santiago de Chile with Miami.
In this way, based on data obtained by Aviacionline through Cirium, a global aeronautical intelligence company, Delta captures 9.2% of the total seats offered between South America and the United States, ranking third after American Airlines (40.2%) and United Airlines (9.9%). LATAM, for its part, owns 7.8% of the weekly seat supply.
