by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 12:50 AM ET, Fri May 25, 2018
American Airlines is voicing support for the recent finalization of an Open Skies agreement between the United States and Brazil.
The deal struck by the two countries will allow for increased air-service the U.S. and the South American nation.
"We applaud the U.S. Departments of State and Transportation and the Brazilian Ministry of Transport for taking this important step to enhance the U.S.-Brazil aviation relationship," Nate Gatten, American's senior vice president - Government Affairs, said in a statement. "We commend Secretary Pompeo, Secretary Chao and their teams for their leadership and commitment to finalizing this agreement. As the leading U.S. carrier in Latin America, American has long advocated for an Open Skies policy between the U.S. and Brazil. This agreement will strengthen economic ties between the U.S. and Brazil and deliver significant benefits for consumers."
Negotiations on the Open Skies agreement between the two countries started in December 2010 with the initializing of a Memorandum of Understanding that expanded the services and formalized the commitment for a full Open Skies initiative, according to Airline Geeks.
Specifics of the deal include removing all limitations or reciprocity requirements for flights between the United States and Brazil. However, the new agreement does not allow for carriers to perform ninth freedom flights or domestic flights within foreign territory.
The U.S.-Brazil Open Skies deal also paves the way for the U.S. Department of Transportation to approve American Airlines' proposed joint business with LATAM Airlines Group.
Announced in January 2016, the American-LATAM joint business will cover all travel between the U.S. and Canada and Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. It will give customers an improved route network with increased connectivity and capacity, access to lower fares, and a seamless travel experience between American and LATAM flights.
The partnership received regulatory approval from Brazil in October 2017, Colombia in May 2017 and Uruguay in November 2016.
American has provided flights to Brazil for 28 years and has more flights between the U.S. and Brazil than any other carrier. It offers 70 weekly flights to Rio de Janeiro (GIG), Sao Paulo (GRU), Manaus (MAO), Belo Horizonte (CNF) and Brasilia (BSB) from American's hubs in Miami (MIA), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX).
The airline also has nearly 600 team members in the South American country.
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