At the end of last week, American Airlines and JetSMART applied to the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) for authorisation to implement their codeshare agreement.
Both companies had announced in July 2021 the signing of a letter of intent to move forward with the initiative, which would benefit customers connecting between the North American country and different destinations in South America. In addition, it was proposed that the American carrier would take a minority stake in the low-cost airline. Recently, the Chilean government approved the investment.
See also: JetSMART launches flights between Buenos Aires Aeroparque and Asunción
American Airlines would market 28 JetSMART routes in South America
More precisely, they requested that American Airlines be able to designate under its code (AA) and market domestic flights operated in Chile by JetSMART, as well as between Chile and third countries. The companies plan to implement this immediately after obtaining all necessary approvals.
According to the document submitted to the Department of Transportation, the codeshare would be available in 26 routes from and to Santiago de Chile’s Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL). Currently, American Airlines operates regularly to the Chilean capital from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Miami (MIA) airports.
They also required it for flights between Antofagasta (ANF) and Cali (CLO), and between Montevideo (MVD) and Rio de Janeiro (GIG), a route that JetSMART recently inaugurated. The company will offer three weekly services on Airbus A320 and A321neo aircraft, with capacity for 186 and 240 passengers respectively.
The admission of the operation would strengthen air connections in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay and Peru, markets where JetSMART has a presence and good growth prospects. It would also provide benefits for long-haul connections to the United States.
The latest application includes fourteen domestic routes in Chile, two between Chile and Argentina, another three to Brazil and Peru, four to Colombia and two to Uruguay.
See also: JetSMART inaugurates flights between Montevideo and Rio de Janeiro
Codeshare requests for routes from Santiago de Chile (SCL)
- Antofagasta (ANF), Chile.
- Arequipa (AQP), Peru.
- Arica (ARI), Chile.
- Balmaceda (BBA), Chile.
- Bogotá (BOG), Colombia. American Airlines operates to El Dorado International Airport from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Miami (MIA).
- Buenos Aires (AEP), Argentina.
- Buenos Aires (EZE), Argentina. The American carrier operates scheduled flights to Ministro Pistarini International Airport from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Miami (MIA) and New York (JFK).
- Cali (CLO), Colombia. American Airlines offers direct connections between Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport and Miami (MIA).
- Castro (MHC), Chile.
- Concepción (CCP), Chile.
- Copiapó (CPO), Chile.
- Foz do Iguaçu (IGU), Brazil.
- Iquique (IQQ), Chile.
- La Serena (LSC), Chile.
- Lima (LIM), Peru. American Airlines flies regularly from Miami (MIA).
- Medellín (MDE), Colombia. The carrier operates scheduled services from Miami (MIA).
- Montevideo (MVD), Uruguay.
- Puerto Montt (PMC), Chile.
- Puerto Natales (PNT), Chile.
- Punta Arenas (PUQ), Chile.
- Rio de Janeiro (GIG), Brazil. American Airlines operates regularly to Galeão from Miami (MIA).
- São Paulo (GRU), Brazil. American Airlines operates scheduled flights to Guarulhos from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Miami (MIA) and New York (JFK).
- Temuco (ZCO), Chile.
- Trujillo (TRU), Peru.
- Valdivia (ZAL), Chile.
Codeshare requests on other routes
- Antofagasta (ANF) – Cali (CLO).
- Montevideo (MVD) – Rio de Janeiro (GIG).
