An innovative program seeks to boost connectivity and international tourism in Brazil

Brasilia, April 16, 2024 - The Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) announces its support for Brazil's International Tourism Acceleration Program (PATI) and its commitment to collaborate with its expertise, network and knowledge to further strengthen the program. The initiative is led by the Brazilian Company for the Promotion of International Tourism (Embratur), in collaboration with the Ministry of Ports and Airports and the Ministry of Tourism, with the support of resources from the National Civil Aviation Fund (FNAC).

José Ricardo Botelho, CEO of ALTA, reinforces the importance of the initiative for the development of tourism in Brazil, but warns against issues related to the operating costs of airlines in the country. "Although this initiative is seen as a positive step forward for tourism in the region, we cannot underestimate the challenges faced by airlines when operating in Brazil. Aspects such as legal uncertainty, fuel costs and judicialization represent significant obstacles that require immediate attention. We urge the government and stakeholders to prioritize these issues on their agendas in order to ensure the sustainable and prosperous development of the airline and tourism sector throughout the region. Flying in a country of continental dimensions like Brazil is a necessity and, with the right support, the country will be able to carry out the largest social inclusion program in history, allowing the C class, which exceeds 110 million Brazilians, to have access to culture, connections, well-being and much more".

ALTA is working with the authorities to promote initiatives that expand air connectivity and attract more visitors to the country in an efficient manner. PATI has demonstrated from the outset that collaboration between the public and private sectors is a key factor in the success of initiatives. "Strengthening international connectivity and providing options for more people to visit this diverse country is the goal. The travel and tourism sector is a powerful economic engine that generates employment and development, even in remote locations. Increasing the flow of flights and passengers in the country will translate into immediate socioeconomic growth," says Botelho.

PATI seeks to increase the seating and international flights number. Program details:

For the first phase, as a pilot, the expected investment is US0,000.

Airlines and airports will have to submit investment proposals for promoting new flights and their respective tourist destinations with actions such as advertising campaigns in the flights' origin country and promotional trips with journalists, digital influencers and foreign tour operators to the destination of the flights, among other options.

The selected proposals will receive funding from FNAC, to cover a portion of the cost of promoting these new air routes. It will be 40 Brazilian reais per seat for each new flight landing in Brazil during the period from October 27, 2024 to March 29, 2025. To apply for the fund, the airline must ensure a growth in its network vs. the 2023/2024 season, and the resources will be linked to new seats.

As a way to encourage the expansion of connectivity between as many countries as possible, with direct flights to different destinations in Brazil, proposals to create routes taking off from airports that do not have direct flights to Brazil will also be better qualified to participate in PATI.

A higher frequency of weekly flights is also rewarded with a higher score, as is the convenience of arrival and departure times, with preference for the 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. range.

Finally, proposals using more modern aircraft, which emit less carbon into the atmosphere, and companies having signed agreements to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN Agenda 2030 will be ranked higher.

PATI Key Dates:

• May 17: Deadline for submitting applications for Round 1;
• June 03: Announcement of the 1st call for proposals;
• August 23: Estimated deadline for signing the Terms of Collaboration for the new flights approved in PATI;
• October 27 to March 30: Period during which the airlines operate the flights (IATA W24 Season).