Colombia’s Avianca and Brazil’s GOL have agreed to a merger that will create a pan-Latin American airline network. The brands will remain independent but benefit from greater efficiencies under aligned ownership, and the lowest unit costs in their respective markets.

United Airlines and US Airways have renewed merger talks as conditions in the international aviation sector continue to improve. A combined organisation could rival US leader Delta Air Lines in terms of size, but sceptics have begun to question synergies between the proposed partners.