Avianca Brasil (São Paulo Congonhas) has formally acceded to Star Alliance following a ceremony held at São Paulo Guarulhos on Wednesday, July 22. The move marks the return of Brazil to the alliance following TAM Linhas Aéreas's decision to join Oneworld in March last year.
"We are proud to be part of the most experienced airline alliance and are pleased to put Brazil back on the Star Alliance map," Jose Efromovich, President and CEO of Avianca Brasil, said. “We are setting the future pace of our airline and close a two year process which saw us move to a new IT platform, review and update our internal processes and specific training programme for our employees to ensure they can provide the best possible service to customers."
Avianca Brasil is the fastest growing airline in the country. From 2010 to 2014, it increased its market share from 2.6% to 8.4%. Until May of this year, the airline continued this trend reaching a cumulative market share of 9%.
Through its São Paulo Guarulhos, Rio de Janeiro International, and Brasília Juscelino Kubitschek International hubs, the Avianca (Bogotá) subsidiary adds fifteen new destinations in Brazil to the existing twelve, which Star Alliance's member carriers already served. Overall, Star Alliance's Brazilian network now totals twenty-seven destinations.
