Unlocking the Americas: Air Canada and Abra Group Sign Memorandum to Expand Travel and Connectivity between Canada, Latin America and Beyond

Executive Summary

• Air Canada and Abra Group (parent company of Avianca and GOL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a broad, long-term strategic partnership and Joint Business Agreement.
• The agreement will deepen commercial integration, expand codeshare networks across the Americas, and enhance loyalty and cargo services, pending final documentation and regulatory approval.
• The partnership aims to accelerate connectivity between Canada and Latin America, streamline the customer experience, and capture growth in the accelerating Canada-South America market.

Key Details

• Transaction Type: Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a strategic partnership and Joint Business Agreement.
• Counterparties: Air Canada and Abra Group (encompassing Avianca, GOL, and Wamos Air).
• Commercial Integration: Establishment of a Joint Business Agreement on select Canada-Latin America routes to enable deeper commercial integration and coordinated sales/distribution.
• Codeshare Expansion: Expanded codeshare cooperation across the Americas and beyond, including travel between Latin America and other international markets via Canadian gateways.
• Customer Experience Enhancements: Coordinated airport services, smoother connections, aligned baggage policies, and improved disruption management.
• Loyalty Program Integration: Strengthened frequent flyer cooperation between Air Canada Aeroplan and Abra Group’s LifeMiles/Smiles programs, delivering increased earning and redemption opportunities.
• Cargo Collaboration: Exploration of greater cargo collaboration to offer seamless and efficient freight solutions across key Americas markets.
• Market Expansion Context: Air Canada is actively expanding into key Latin American markets including Lima, Santiago, and Rio de Janeiro, with further growth planned for Quito.
• Regulatory/Execution Status: Any final agreement is subject to the negotiation of final documentation and regulatory approval.

Notable Quotes

• Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, and President of Cargo at Air Canada: “Air Canada and Abra Group are building the foundations for an enhanced partnership that will further unlock the Americas... this Memorandum of Understanding between our world-class airlines creates a pathway to further bolster our partnership, improve the customer experience, and enhance global connectivity.”
• Angus Clarke, Chief Commercial Officer at Abra Group: “This milestone agreement with Air Canada reinforces our ambition to redefine connectivity across the Americas and beyond... This is a significant step toward shaping a more accessible and dynamic aviation ecosystem.”
• Mary-Jane Lorette, Vice President, Revenue Management, Partnerships and International Affairs at Air Canada: “The Canada–South America market is accelerating, and we are investing to capture this momentum, expanding into key markets such as Lima, Santiago and Rio de Janeiro, with further growth ahead in Quito while building on our strong foundation with Avianca through Star Alliance and our long-standing collaboration with GOL...”