Average Brazilian flew as little as 0.5 times in 2019

A survey released by the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association—ALTA—casts light on Brazil’s aviation market. Per a report released on December 7, Brazil has a low number of trips per person compared to other countries, despite it growth potential considering the country’s territorial dimensions and population.

According to the study, Brazil recorded 0.5 trips per person in 2019. The number is considered low by the researchers, who took into account the same number in the US (2.6), Spain (4.5), and Chile (1.2).

Of Brazil’s 5.5 thousand municipalities, only some 130 are covered by commercial aviation routes, the survey found.

To serve passengers, the sector employs 140 thousand workers, of whom 72 percent are men and 28 percent are women, 90 percent are 25–64 years old, and 50 percent have graduated from high school.

Post-pandemic

The survey also concluded that, after the COVID-19 pandemic, passengers began to choose to travel to places with contact with nature and outdoors, eschewing crowds in closed environments. Thus, the industry sees potential for expansion in Brazilian tourism.

“To visit every corner of the country, airlines are fundamental. For now, the movement does not show significant results, but it is a matter of time,” the survey concludes saying.

The airlines interviewed also reported the costs of operating in Brazil. According to the companies, 51 percent of the expenses are in dollars and the rest in reais. In addition, the price of aviation fuel is 30 to 40 percent higher than in other countries, like the US. Another factor surrounds lawsuits filed against them.

According to Brazil’s civil aviation authority Anac, 53 million passengers on domestic flights and 1.4 million on international flights passed through the Brazilian airports from January to August this year.