en.Wedoany.com Reported - The South American Air Liberalization Agreement (Acordo de Liberalização Aérea Sul-Americana, or Alas) welcomed two new members on October 22—Uruguay and Bolivia—bringing the total number of member states to six. The signatory countries now include Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia. According to the memorandum, the parties will establish working groups to advance rule harmonization and measure studies within 12 months, aiming to gradually integrate the regional civil aviation market.

The scope of the study covers topics such as operational safety, civil aviation security, economic regulation, competition policy, and passenger rights, providing a basis for subsequent decision-making. On the same day, Brazil, Uruguay, and Bolivia also signed a bilateral agreement introducing the seventh freedom of the air (7ª Liberdade do Ar). This provision allows a designated airline of one country to operate international flights between the other two countries, without requiring the route to originate or terminate in its own territory. The Brazilian Ports and Airports Ministry (Ministério de Portos e Aeroportos) stated that this move aims to promote regional integration and strengthen regulatory cooperation among South American nations. Alas was jointly launched in early July by Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Paraguay, and remains open to other South American countries interested in participating in regional air transport integration.