Brussels is set to regain a nonstop link to South America next summer after LATAM Airlines Brasil and Brussels Airlines signed a wide-ranging codeshare agreement. Announced late on 9 April, the partnership will coincide with LATAM’s new São Paulo (GRU) – Brussels flight in June 2026 and will open one-ticket access to 17 onward European cities. Under the deal, LATAM will place its ‘LA’ code on Brussels Airlines services to German, French, British, Scandinavian and Central-European destinations, while the Belgian carrier will reciprocate on LATAM’s domestic Brazilian network. Through-checked baggage and aligned frequent-flyer earning will simplify itineraries for corporate travellers. The move is strategically significant for Belgium. Since the demise of the previous São Paulo route in 2019, companies such as AB InBev and Solvay have lacked a direct air bridge to Latin America’s largest economy. The new flight restores that link and positions Brussels Airport as an alternative to Paris or Frankfurt for Brazil-bound traffic. Analysts note that Star Alliance—of which Brussels Airlines is a member—now gains a fresh long-haul foothold at BRU after recent losses to SkyTeam and oneworld rivals. For LATAM, meanwhile, the route taps robust VFR and cargo demand: pharmaceuticals from Belgium to Brazil and e-commerce imports in the opposite direction. Tickets went on sale this week, with introductory return fares starting at €649 in economy and €2,499 in business class. Both airlines emphasise that the schedule has been timed for convenient evening departures from Brussels, allowing same-day European feed.
Source: Aviation24.be
