Brazil Approves Open Skies Agreement With US, Paving the Way for More Flights
On Wednesday, Brazil's Senate approved an open skies agreement with the US, which means more flights between the two countries. It also means a business deal between American Airlines and Latam Airlines, respectively the biggest airline in the world and the biggest in Latin America, will be allowed to proceed.
Required by the US Department of Transportation, the treaty allows American and Latam to coordinate their schedules and connections. The agreement will also bring an icreased amount of flights between the two countries, with more destinations and routes available. In fact Brazil's tourism board predicts the number of flights between the US and Brazil will rise by about 30%.
The agreement is also expected to bring lower airfares to and from Brazil and bring additional interest from other US carriers in more routes to Brazil. According to the Brazilian government, 70% more Americans have been traveling to Brazil since the country started its electronic visa program in January.
American and Latam first introduced the agreement in 2011, but some Brazilian lawmakers opposed it due to fears local airlines would not fare well with US competition.
The treaty now goes to the desk of Brazilian President Michel Temer, who is expected to approve it.
H/T: Reuters
