Delta Air Lines and LATAM Airlines have applied for blanket approval to operate codeshare routes within both their networks, media reports said. The airlines have applied to the Department of Transportation (DOT) for approval.
Last month. Delta Air Lines and LATAM Airlines signed a codeshare agreement to operate flights that cover between, within and beyond the US and Chile. Delta CEO Ed Bastian, told the media, “Late last year, we set out to build the leading strategic alliance in Latin America together with LATAM, and while the industry landscape has changed, our commitment to this joint venture is as strong as ever. Even as our carriers contend with the impact of COVID-19 on our business and take steps to protect the safety of our customers and employees, we are also building the airline alliance we know they’ll want to fly in the future.”
Last September, Delta Air Lines announced that it would acquire a 20 percent stake in LATAM Airlines. The stake acquisition is subject to regulatory approval. Through the new codeshare agreement, LATAM Airlines will provide customers with more access to destinations in the US. Likewise, Delta Air Lines will provide its customers with access to destinations in South America.
It is reported that Delta Air Lines will provide 74 new destinations in the US for LATAM Airlines’ passengers and the former will provide 51 South American destinations for Delta Air Lines passengers.