As we had anticipated earlier this week, a press conference took place this morning at the Jorge Newbery Airpark in Buenos Aires where was announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a strategic cooperation agreement between Aerolíneas Argentinas and the Abra Group, the new Latin American airline holding company that includes Avianca and GOL.
The MoU outlines a series of future actions aligned with the deepening of code-sharing agreements (which Aerolíneas Argentinas already has with GOL, but not with Avianca), technology exchange, and their respective frequent flyer and cargo programs.
As we reported on Tuesday, the official announcement initially used the word “incorporation” of Aerolíneas Argentinas into the Abra Group, leading to speculations about its scope. This is why it was later modified to “strategic cooperation agreement”.
And this Thursday it was emphasized that the airlines members of the Abra Group and Aerolíneas Argentinas maintain “their complete independence, autonomy, brands, team, and culture” and the agreement “does not contemplate any change in the shareholding structures of the group or the mentioned companies.”
“Partnering with Abra and working on joint planning and strategy that allows us to create better networks, more connectivity, and ultimately, a better product, is crucial for both Aerolíneas Argentinas and for GOL and Avianca. I am confident that this agreement will further boost the growth of the entire region’s aviation market,” said Fabián Lombardo, Commercial Director of Aerolíneas Argentinas.
Constantino de Oliveira Junior, CEO of the Abra Group, said, “As part of the Abra Group’s growth in the region, we announce a collaboration agreement with Aerolíneas Argentinas, the leading airline in Argentina, which will allow us to further strengthen our presence in the Southern Cone and seek new opportunities in different areas to contribute to Abra’s purpose: ensuring more people in Latin America fly by plane at better rates, with more destinations, frequencies, and more practical connections.”
Benefits of the agreement between Aerolíneas Argentinas and the Abra Group
During the presentation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), a series of benefits were outlined, such as increased business opportunities on routes between Argentina and Brazil. In this context, it was detailed that Aerolíneas Argentinas shares codes with GOL on 71 routes in Brazil, while the latter shares codes on 42 routes of Aerolíneas in Argentina. Additionally, both companies operate 15 routes between Argentina and Brazil with shared codes, including the Buenos Aires – Sao Paulo – Buenos Aires air bridge with up to seven daily flights.
The MoU will also facilitate the signing of a new interline agreement with Avianca, covering 12 destinations in Colombia: Cartagena, Medellín, Cali, Pereira, San Andrés, Barranquilla, Bucaramanga, Armenia, Montería, Santa Marta, Valledupar, and Cúcuta, as well as Panama City.
For Aerolíneas Argentinas, the increase in frequencies in Brazil starting from April 2024 will be as follows:
- Porto Alegre: from six to twelve weekly flights.
- Curitiba: from four to seven weekly flights.
- Sao Paulo: from 28 to 33 weekly flights starting in July.
- Porto Seguro: from one weekly flight to two starting in July.
In Colombia, the route between Buenos Aires and Bogotá will increase from seven to 10 weekly flights from the Jorge Newbery Airpark starting the second quarter of 2024, allowing access to domestic destinations in Colombia through the interline agreement.
