Air Canada and Abra Group, the parent company of Avianca and GOL Linhas Aéreas, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 07, 2026, to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership and joint business agreement across the Americas.

Announced in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the agreement outlines a pathway for revenue sharing, expanded codeshare operations, and deeper commercial integration between the carriers. According to a press release issued by Air Canada, the partnership aims to align baggage policies, integrate loyalty programs, and enhance cargo services across North, Central, and South America.

Expanding network connectivity

Abra Group operates a combined fleet of 300 aircraft, serving 145 destinations across 25 countries with a workforce of approximately 30,000 employees. The MoU leverages this extensive Latin American network alongside Air Canada’s global reach. Angus Clarke, Chief Commercial Officer at Abra Group, stated that the agreement reinforces the company’s ambition to redefine connectivity.

“Our complementary strengths with Air Canada expand travel options and create a more connected hemisphere, unlocking new opportunities for our customers, our partners, and the regions we serve,” Clarke said.

The planned joint business agreement will facilitate deeper ties between the airlines’ respective frequent flyer programs, including Air Canada’s Aeroplan, Avianca’s LifeMiles, and GOL’s Smiles. The carriers also plan to implement improved disruption management protocols to ensure smoother passenger transitions during irregular operations.

Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Air Canada, noted that customers have already benefited from existing codeshare arrangements with Abra Group airlines.

“Building from a highly complementary presence across the Americas, this Memorandum of Understanding between our world-class airlines creates a pathway to further bolster our partnership, improve the customer experience, and enhance global connectivity,” Galardo said.

Air Canada’s Latin American growth strategy

The MoU aligns with Air Canada’s broader strategy to increase its footprint in Latin America. For the winter 2025/2026 season, the Canadian flag carrier reported a 16 percent year-over-year capacity increase in the region, according to reporting by Aviation Week. This expansion included resuming service to Quito, Ecuador, and launching new routes.

Mary-Jane Lorette, Vice President of Revenue Management, Partnerships and International Affairs at Air Canada, highlighted the accelerating Canada to South America market. She noted the airline is investing to capture this momentum by expanding into key markets such as Lima, Santiago, and Rio de Janeiro.

AirPro News analysis

We view this Memorandum of Understanding as a logical progression of Air Canada’s existing Star Alliance relationship with Avianca and its bilateral ties with GOL Linhas Aéreas. By moving toward a formalized joint business agreement, Air Canada can effectively counter the strong Latin American joint ventures established by its US competitors, such as the partnership between Delta Air Lines and LATAM Airlines Group. For Abra Group, aligning closely with a major North American network carrier provides crucial feed into its hubs in Bogotá and São Paulo, strengthening its competitive position against regional rivals. The inclusion of cargo services in the MoU also suggests a strategic effort to capture a larger share of the growing north-south freight market.

Sources: Air Canada

Aeromexico (AM) has become the first major Latin American carrier to join the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Turbulence Aware program, adding 90 Boeing aircraft to the global data-sharing network on June 9, 2026.

The integration increases real-time turbulence reporting coverage across Latin America by 25 percent compared to 2024 levels, bringing the region’s total monitored flights to 3,200 per day. The announcement was made in a press release issued by IATA.

Expanding Latin American coverage

The addition of Aeromexico to the Turbulence Aware platform marks a significant expansion of the program in a region that has historically had fewer participating carriers. By equipping 90 Boeing aircraft to transmit automated weather data, the airline provides a substantial boost to the situational awareness of all flight crews operating in Latin American airspace.

“Timely turbulence data helps airlines improve safety and passenger comfort. Each new airline joining Turbulence Aware makes its coverage more comprehensive, helping all participants. Aeromexico’s participation is particularly significant as it is the first major carrier from the Latin American region to join. We look forward to others from the region further strengthening the offering by following Aeromexico’s lead,” said Peter Cerda, IATA Regional Vice President of the Americas.

Aeromexico executives emphasized the operational benefits of the shared data pool. Cuitlahuac Gutierrez, Senior Vice President of Institutional Relations, Government, Airports and Industry Affairs for Aeromexico, noted the value of the network.

“We are pleased to join IATA’s Turbulence Aware program and leverage our extensive network and fleet to support the industry in managing turbulence more effectively. With accurate, real-time data, pilots can better navigate turbulence, resulting in smoother journeys for our passengers,” Gutierrez said.

Industry adoption of data-driven mitigation

Launched in 2018, the IATA Turbulence Aware platform relies on the Energy/Eddy-Dissipation Rate (EDR). The EDR is the official metric established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) for measuring turbulence intensity. The system aggregates anonymized EDR data from participating aircraft and distributes it in real time, allowing pilots and dispatchers to adjust flight paths and altitude profiles to avoid severe weather.

Aeromexico joins a growing roster of more than 30 airlines worldwide that contribute to the database. The aviation industry has increasingly adopted these predictive tools in response to the rising frequency of severe turbulence events. On October 29, 2025, Emirates (EK) announced its active participation in the program as part of a broader strategy to reduce unexpected turbulence encounters. Shortly after, on February 25, 2026, the Lufthansa Group integrated the technology across flights operated by Lufthansa (LH), Swiss International Air Lines (LX), and Edelweiss Air (WK).

AirPro News analysis

The inclusion of Aeromexico in the Turbulence Aware program addresses a critical data gap in the Western Hemisphere. Latin American airspace features complex meteorological phenomena, including the Intertropical Convergence Zone and the Andes mountain range, which frequently generate clear-air and convective turbulence. By adding 90 aircraft to the reporting pool, Aeromexico provides localized, high-fidelity data that will benefit not only its own operations but also those of international carriers flying into the region. We anticipate that this move will place competitive pressure on other major Latin American operators to join the initiative, ultimately standardizing data-driven turbulence mitigation across the Americas.

Sources: International Air Transport Association (IATA)

Wizz Air will become the first European ultra-low-cost carrier to offer high-speed satellite internet, announcing on June 8, 2026, a fleet-wide agreement to install SpaceX’s Starlink connectivity beginning in 2027.

In a press release issued by the airlines, Wizz Air confirmed the partnership will bring low-latency Wi-Fi to its passengers at 30,000 feet. The adoption of advanced in-flight connectivity challenges the traditional ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) model, which historically strips away onboard amenities to maintain minimal operating costs and low base passenger fares.

Fleet integration and rollout timeline

The installation of Starlink hardware is scheduled to commence in 2027 across the Wizz Air network. The Budapest-based operator has been rapidly modernizing its equipment. On April 28, 2026, the airline reported a total fleet size of 262 aircraft, with latest-generation Airbus A321neo models comprising 75% of that total.

Wizz Air is actively phasing out its older Airbus A321ceo family Commercial-Aircraft and aims to operate an all-neo fleet by 2029. According to the June 8 announcement, the airline expects every new generation aircraft joining the fleet to be equipped with the Starlink system.

Shifting the passenger experience

High-speed in-flight connectivity has traditionally been treated as a premium perk reserved for legacy carriers. By integrating SpaceX’s low-Earth orbit satellite network, Wizz Air intends to provide reliable internet from departure to arrival.

“Ultra-low-cost travel has always been about making opportunities accessible to more people. In 2027, we’re taking that philosophy into the space era. Our customers shouldn’t have to choose between affordable fares and reliable internet onboard to stay connected to the people, work, and moments that matter most. We’re proud to lead that change by collaborating with Starlink to bring maximum benefit to Wizz Air! Let’s WIZZ!”

The statement was attributed to Ian Malin, Chief Commercial Officer for Wizz Air. Jason Fritch, Vice President of Starlink Enterprise Sales at SpaceX, added that the technology was specifically built to keep passengers and crew seamlessly connected at cruising altitudes.

AirPro News analysis

Wizz Air’s official communications do not disclose the commercial terms of the Starlink agreement, nor do they confirm whether the onboard Wi-Fi service will be offered to passengers for free or structured as an additional fee. The ULCC business model relies heavily on ancillary revenue streams, making a paid tier a strong possibility. However, if Wizz Air chooses to offer the service on a complimentary basis, it would represent a significant competitive disruption in the European short-haul market, forcing rival budget carriers to reevaluate their own passenger experience strategies.

Sources: Wizz Air (June 8, 2026)