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Iberia signs a code - sharing agreement with GOL to gain access to Brazilian market

Direct News Source

20-Oct-2009 Iberia and GOL, the second largest airline in Brazil, have announced today that the airlines have signed a code-share agreement that will enable the Spanish airline to increase significantly its offer in Brazil.

Currently, Iberia flies twice a day between Madrid and Sao Paulo and offers one flight daily between the Spanish capital and Rio de Janeiro. Brazil is one of the most important markets for Iberia. Under the code-share agreement, Iberia can add its code to GOL flights from Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo to 13 Brazilian destinations: Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Curitiba, Florianopolis, Fortaleza, Foz do Iguaçu, Goiania, Manaus, Natal, Porto Alegre, Recife, Salvador de Bahia and Vitoria.

Before implementing the agreement, the Brazilian authorities (Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil - ANAC -, the Brazilian aviation authority, and the Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica - CADE-, the antitrust counsel) have to approved it.

Additionally to the code share agreement, the airlines are also evaluating the possibility of linking their frequent flyer programs, Iberia Plus and GOL's SMILES. Iberia Plus cardholders will be able then to add points on any GOL flight, while the Smiles cardholders will win points when flying with Iberia.