Emerging South

Taking national flights in Brazil has changed a lot since 2001 when GOL came into the picture.  Varig disappeared from the local market with GOL having taken it over and using the brand for serving 12 international destinations.  If you plan your trip well in advance, Varig is currently the cheapest option to fly to Brazil from Belgium and France.  You'll pay 633 EU for a return flight to Rio de Janeiro and and 640 to Sao Paulo, all taxes included.  In 2007, BRA airlines also went into financial dark clouds, just shortly after having ordered 20 Embraer 195 planes.

So basically Brazil now mainly has GOL and TAM serving the Brazilian national market.  Add to that Oceanair and you'll have the complete spectrum.  On our trip to Brazil in April we're flying into Sao Paulo via TAP (we tried all international carriers flying into Brazil and stick with TAP from now on) to Sao Paulo, then fly to Florianopolis, fly back to Sao Paulo, then Rio, then fly to Tiradentes, from Tiradentes we fly to Belo Horizonte, from Belo Horizonte to Rio and from Rio back to Brussels. 

I must say that booking tickets in Brazil is a breeze.  No, there are no engines to compare prices like Kayak.  You just need to check the sites of TAM, GOL and Oceanair and make your own table.  Example: below the table of direct flights we use from Florianopolis.



Things are going to change however.  The founder of American JetBlue Airways is a Brazilian: David Neeleman.  Last week he announced a new Brazilian airline to begin operating next year with three jets and eventually grow to a fleet of 76 planes flying nationwide. The new airline doesn't have a name yet. The name will be choosen by Brazilians visiting the website.   Neeleman is making a very smart move:
1. There is definitely space in the booming national flights market.
2. Choosing Embraer 195 planes is smart.  With the order of BRA not going through, Embraer had a problem.  Besides, the Embraer 195 is a gem of a plane; I flew it from Sao Paulo to Panama on Copa.
3. The way Neeleman marketing tactics are playing on the Brazilian national pride is a smart move.