United Strikes Deal with Copa, Avianca

United Airlines announced a new joint business agreement with Compania Panamena de Aviacion S.A. (Copa), Aerovías del Continente Americano S.A. (Avianca) and many of their affiliates.

Pending government approval, United’s new partnerships are expected to provide substantial benefits for customers, communities and the marketplace for air travel between the United States and 19 countries in Central and South America.

The joint business agreement with Avianca will offer customers of each airline integrated service in more than 12,000 city pairs, new nonstop routes, additional flights on existing routes and reduced travel times.

The carriers expect the partnership to drive significant traffic growth at major gateway cities coast to coast, which will help bring new investment and create more economic development opportunities.

“This agreement represents the next chapter in U.S.-Latin American air travel,” United president Scott Kirby said in a statement. “We are excited to work with our Star Alliance partners Avianca and Copa to bring much-needed competition and growth to many underserved markets while providing a better overall experience for business and leisure customers traveling across the Western Hemisphere.”

The agreement is expected to provide customers with expanded codeshare flight options, competitive fares, a more streamlined travel experience, and better customer service, resulting in significant projected consumer benefits.

In addition, allowing the three carriers to serve customers as if they were a single airline is expected to enable the companies to better align their frequent flyer programs, coordinate flight schedules and improve airport facilities.

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