Originally Posted by
SwissexLUG
Indeed. Condition #6 for the approval of the merger is quite clear. LATAM has to be in one alliance only and cannot be in the same alliance AV/TA are members of or are in the process of joining.
Furthermore, no codeshares on flights to/from Chile (including connecting flights via South American gateways to Europe/North America) with airlines not members of the same alliance LATAM is in without the consent of the TDLC. No codeshares with AV/TA or G3 for South American flights on routes where both LATAM and AV/TA and/or G3 operate services.
At this point LATAM can either
1) bring JJ into oneworld
2) give up the merger
3) join Skyteam (both LA & JJ)
3) is most possibly a no go.
Quite interested in reading the feedback of the Brazilian antitrust authority. Anyhow good news for OW IMO. ^
indeed that particular rule appears to specifically bar any * involvement in LAN. Also the clear notion about the "two" alliances involved in both parties rules out ST. So it will be OW definitely and that is a very good news. However i concur on what Kiwiandrew once said about TAM joining * just before finalizing talks with LAN, timing quite suspicious and overall a very poor behavior, unless they did this to purposely entice LAN.
Alliance wise now, Latin America should become like this:
OW: LAN, TAM and a good command of EU and US routes to the region;
*: Avianca, Taca + possibly Gol: this would help to get back the remains of Varig again in the alliance;
ST: Aeromexico + Aerolinas Argentinas: so far the losers in the region