On Monday, 23rd October, Brazil’s Tourism Minister, Celso Sabino, met with the National Manager of Copa Airlines in Brazil, Raphael de Lucca. The meeting focused on devising strategies to boost air connectivity and promote international tourism in the South American nation.
The Minister showcased several proposals, particularly emphasizing the potential of establishing new air routes connecting destinations in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil with countries in South America and the Caribbean.
According to our affiliated source Aeroin, these initiatives align well with the Brazilian government’s priority to enhance air connectivity and spur tourism. This is all part of the «Discover Brazil: By Air» program, launched in September, aiming to ease the movement of Brazilians across the country, while advocating for civil aviation and lowering airlines’ operational costs.
Sabino highlighted the strategic advantage of Brazil’s Northern region, which is closely located to Caribbean destinations popular among Americans and Europeans. A direct flight from Belém to the Caribbean stands as an opportunity for Brazilians wishing to stopover in Belém en route to the Caribbean, as well as for Europeans and Americans viewing Brazil as a layover on their Caribbean journey.
Brazil encourages Copa Airlines to expand its services
Raphael de Lucca, representing Copa Airlines, expressed interest in resuming operations in cities like Salvador (SSA) and Recife (REC), previously halted due to the pandemic. Furthermore, the airline plans to extend its routes to Belém (BEL), Foz do Iguaçu (IGU), Curitiba (CWB), Campinas (VCP), and Florianópolis (FLN).
By year-end, the airline will boost its operations in Brazil, reaching Belo Horizonte with ten weekly flights, Brasilia with a daily flight, Manaus with four weekly flights, Porto Alegre with six weekly flights, São Paulo/Guarulhos with five daily flights, and Rio de Janeiro/Galeão with double daily flights.