The two aircraft were believed to be going from South America to Europe, Sunday night, in the same direction as the air France flight from Rio to Paris.

这两架飞机是周日晚上从南美飞往欧洲的，与法航从里约热内卢飞往巴黎的航班是同一方向。

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However, as was the case with the Air France-KLM merger in Europe, the airlines' brands would remain separate.

BBC: Brazilian airline TAM plans to merge with Chile's LAN

The two big mergers in Europe -- between Air France and KLM, and British Airways and Iberia -- had been accomplished through the creation of holding companies, allowing the respective airlines to operate independently and remain nationally-owned, he said.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

The travel chaos rippled across Europe as many airlines, including Air France, Alitalia, Lufthansa, Iberia and Aer Lingus canceled flights to Heathrow.

NPR: U.K. Uncovers 'Advanced' Bomb Plot; U.S. Targeted