By GRACIELA IBÁÑEZ 14/12/2012
SANTIAGO, Chile—The Brazilian arm of Latam Airlines Group SA LAN.SN +0.18% is close to a decision to join its Chilean sister company in the Oneworld global marketing alliance, changing the balance of power among South America’s fast-growing carriers.
Latam, formed by the merger of Brazil’s Tam and Chile’s Lan earlier this year, had previously indicated it would reveal its alliance strategy by March 2013, but now a final decision is expected much sooner, according to people with direct knowledge of the situation.