Brazilian Government Eyes Invitation to JetBlue, Ryanair to Fly in the Country

Local media reported that the Brazilian government could approach JetBlue, Ryanair, and other low-cost airlines during the forum of leaders of the Latin American and Caribbean Association of Air Transport to convince them to fly in the domestic market in Brazil in an attempt to reduce airfare in the country. Low-cost, low-fare airlines already offer international flights to and from Brazil, but face several difficulties in operating within the domestic market, such as the high price of aviation fuel.

Despite the obstacles, the federal government is approaching these companies to present prospects of market growth, and try to convince them to fly in the country.

The government’s goal is to increase the number of passengers carried in the country to over 120 million this year — up from 103 million in 2018 — and to reach 200 million in 2025. Over the next five years, the goal is also to increase from 130 to 200 the number of cities served by air transport.

Air travel is an important political advantage in a large country where travel is difficult, expensive, and even dangerous. Most roads in Brazil lack good maintenance and flying is essential for economic activity. Air travel in Brazil is still restricted to a small percentage of the population due to low income and high fare prices.

Through the years, Brazil struggled because of government corruption and lack of strategic planning, leaving the country with poor aviation infrastructure. The government is trying to compensate for this by attracting foreign airlines and privatizing airports.

In a desperate attempt to attract foreign low-cost airlines to the country, the government approved a weird law making it mandatory for airlines to charge for luggage contradicting their speech about competition.

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Peter Biondi

Peter Biondi has a degree in journalism and a master’s degree in airline/airport management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He is a former professor of Airline Management, Airline Marketing, Airport Management, Aviation safety, and Introduction to the Aviation Industry. He is an IATA instructor in airline business foundation. He has worked as an aviation consultant, analyst, researcher, journalist and professor. His professional experience includes Varig – Brazilian Airlines, KLM, and British Airways. Before moving to the US, he lived in Europe and South America. He is fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian.

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