The airlines signed a codeshare agreement, which enables them to commercialize each other’s tickets under the same code, starting the 5th of May, 2011

The agreement allows increased access and seamless travel to the Canadian market for passengers of TACA as well as to Latin America for passengers of Air Canada

Ticketing and baggage connectivity on travel with both airlines

During this first phase of implementations the codeshare includes Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton, Ottawa and Calgary in Canada; as well as Guatemala and TACA Airlines hubs in El Salvador and San Jose as the destinations in Latin America

Codeshare expansion will be incorporated gradually in phases during 2011 and 2012, including frequent flyer agreements

TACA Airlines and Air Canada signed a codeshare agreement to offer their clients more and improved flight options. The agreement allows both companies to commercialize flights under a same code, therefore combining segments of both airlines under a single ticket. TACA Airlines customers will be able to fly seamlessly to destinations in Canada as well as provide greater access to Latin American destinations for customers of Air Canada. The shared code is effective for ticket purchase starting on the 5th of May for travel starting from May 12.

“We are very pleased to announce our codeshare partnership with future Star Alliance member Taca Airlines. This agreement will offer our customers better connectivity between both airlines’ networks and greater flexibility when planning their travel itineraries,” said Yves Dufresne, VicePresident Alliances and International Operations for Air Canada.

“We are confident that this agreement opens new travel possibilities that benefit our customers. This codeshare joins air travel leaders in service of Canada and Latin America enabling their customers to enjoy an improved flight experience, through seamless travel between those regions,” said Alex Benitez, Vice-President Alliances, Fleet and Network Planning for AviancaTaca. “We continue to harness new opportunities as markets grow and work towards delivering improved connectivity and new routes that our customers have requested. This agreement complements the already operating codeshare between Avianca and Air Canada.”

This codeshare agreement is framed in the integration process that AviancaTaca is carrying out in order to become member of Star Alliance. This process will culminate in May 2012. The incorporation, in addition to standardizing processes and services with the 27 member airlines, includes signing codeshare agreements and frequent flyer agreements with most of them.

Markets Served by the Agreement, Phase I
The first phase of implementation includes the following final destinations in Canada: Montreal (YUL), Vancouver (YVR), Edmonton (YEG), Ottawa (YOW) and Calgary (YYC). TACA customers can travel to destinations like Mexico (MEX), Los Angeles (LAX), Orlando (MCO), Miami (MIA), Dallas (DFW) or Toronto (YYZ) to connect via Air Canada to their final destination in Canada. Whereas customers of Air Canada can access the route network of TACA in Latin America through Mexico, Los Angeles and Miami, to El Salvador (SAL), Guatemala (GUA) and San Jose (SJO). Further implementations will gradually include other destinations in TACA’s wide route network throughout Latin America and Air Canada’s extensive network in Asia and Europe.

Passenger Benefits
The codeshare allows passengers to enjoy seamless travel to other destinations with a single ticket purchase, whether they leave from stations operated by Air Canada or by TACA Airlines. The travelers will be able to enjoy quick connections and luggage connectivity through to their final destination, even though they are flying segments operated by different airlines.

About Air Canada
Air Canada is Canada’s largest full-service airline and the largest provider of scheduled passenger services in the Canadian market, the Canada-U.S. transborder market and in the international market to and from Canada. Together with regional partner Jazz, Air Canada serves over 32 million customers annually and provides direct passenger service to over 170 destinations on five continents. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance™, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network.

About TACA Airlines
TACA Airlines has united the American continent through its three hubs (El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Peru) and a wide route network that serves from Canada to Brazil, 51 destinations distributed in 22 countries. Its fleet is composed of Airbus 319, 320, and 321 aircrafts and new Embraer E190. Alongside Avianca, they integrate the leading group of airlines in Latin America, serving over 100 destinations. More information on TACA Airlines and its services at TACA.COM and for information on Avianca visit www.avianca.com.