State Law 14,789, initiated by the Executive Branch, is now in effect, authorizing the granting of economic subsidies—transfers aimed at covering the operational costs of the beneficiary entity. The new incentive targets international airline operations in Bahia, starting June 18, 2024.
According to our associated media outlet in Brazil, AEROIN, the Government of Bahia has announced that, to access the subsidy, companies must launch flights originating from, connecting through, or destined for airports located in Bahia, with a minimum of two weekly frequencies. It is estimated that this measure will impact the state’s annual budget by up to 20 million reais.
According to the Secretariat of Tourism (Setur-BA), the law aims to boost the flow of international visitors to Bahia, generating business opportunities and jobs. “This measure by the State Government positions Bahia at a new competitive level within the highly contested international tourism market. With the subsidy law, we are confident that we will attract the interest of airlines worldwide, bringing more foreign tourists to invigorate our economy,” said Setur-BA’s head, Maurício Bacelar.
Bahia, which currently offers air connectivity with Europe (Portugal, Spain, and France) and South America (Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay), serves as the gateway for more than 40% of international tourists visiting northeastern Brazil. These figures, provided by the Federal Police and the Ministry of Tourism, underscore the region’s strategic importance for the country’s tourism sector.
Out of the 11 airports in Bahia currently offering regular flights (Porto Seguro, Barreiras, Guanambi, Ilheus, Lencois, Salvador, Marau, Cairu, Salvador, Una, and Vitoria da Conquista), only two receive international flights:
- Salvador
- Air France: three weekly flights from Paris-CDG
- Aerolíneas Argentinas: six weekly flights from Buenos Aires/Aeroparque (a weekly flight from Córdoba will also operate in the summer).
- GOL: one weekly flight from Buenos Aires/Aeroparque
- SKY: five weekly flights from Santiago de Chile (three with a stop in Montevideo).
- TAP Air Portugal: seven weekly flights from Lisbon.
- Air Europa: three weekly flights from Madrid.
- Porto Seguro
- Aerolíneas Argentinas: two weekly flights from Buenos Aires/Aeroparque.
- GOL: one weekly flight from Buenos Aires/Aeroparque.
