Brazil Launches Initiative to Elevate International Air Travel Connectivity

Brazil is taking significant steps to enhance its global air travel connections with the introduction of the International Tourism Acceleration Program. Announced at Routes Americas 2024 in Bogotá, this pilot scheme aims to revitalize the country’s international air service, which has yet to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels. With an initial investment of $1.4 million, the program seeks to forge public-private partnerships between airlines, airports, and government bodies to boost international flight services and frequencies.

The program, managed by the Brazilian Agency for International Tourism Promotion (Embratur), in collaboration with the Ministry of Ports and Airports and the Ministry of Tourism, invites airlines and airports to submit proposals for initiatives such as marketing campaigns and promotional events. These efforts are designed to attract new air routes to Brazil, with successful proposals receiving financial support from the National Civil Aviation Fund.

Embratur President Marcelo Freixo emphasized the crucial link between air connectivity and the growth of international tourism in Brazil, highlighting the need for direct flights and short connections at competitive prices to match the growing global interest in visiting Brazil.

Special consideration within the program will be given to flights originating from “strategic markets” that hold significant potential for increasing tourism to Brazil, such as China and Germany. Notably, about 60% of German tourists traveled to Brazil via indirect routes through other European countries in 2023.

Proposals that promise an increase in weekly flight frequencies and the use of environmentally friendly aircraft will be prioritized, reflecting Brazil’s commitment to sustainable travel.

Current data from OAG Schedules Analyser indicates that Brazil’s international capacity is approximately 278,000 departure seats for the week starting March 25, about 98% of what it was before the pandemic. However, the number of international routes is still down by 30 from March 2019 figures, highlighting the ongoing need for enhanced connectivity.

While flight capacity to Chile and Portugal has seen an increase, the capacity to the U.S.—Brazil’s largest international market—remains 24% lower than in 2019. Flights to Argentina and Spain have also experienced declines.

In a related development, Brazil and Argentina have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to remove caps on weekly flights between the two countries, aiming to foster greater air service collaboration.

IATA’s Peter Cerda, speaking at Routes Americas, pointed out the significant opportunity to expand international traffic to and from Brazil, noting the country’s low annual trips per capita compared to the U.S. He called for the Brazilian government to focus on reducing bureaucracy, litigation, and fuel costs to make Brazil a more competitive and attractive destination for international carriers.