The Star Alliance has "full confidence that Varig will emerge as a sounder company

and will continue operating as a quality airline [with] connectivity, network and frequent flyer [program]" despite uncertainty about the Brazilian carrier's restructuring, according to Star CEO Jaan Albrecht. "What we have guaranteed is that even if there is a reshuffling of the network, it will not affect the number of destinations that passengers can reach. Perhaps the number of opportunities have been reduced." Officials with LAN told The Transnational that the airline has experienced a short-term benefit on the Los Angeles-Lima-Sao Paulo route due to Varig's significant flight reductions. Meanwhile, codeshare partners Air France and TAM announced expanded cooperation enabling the former's customers to connect to several additional Brazilian destinations via the latter's hubs in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.