RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Several airlines have shut down international flights to Brazil because of the coronavirus pandemic and travel restrictions imposed by several countries. However, most airlines are currently operating connections from cities abroad, mainly to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
The international routes still in operation are being used by Brazilians abroad to return to Brazil. The Brazilian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it is looking for all options to repatriate nationals resident in Brazil who have experienced problems with their return flights to the country.
The Foreign Ministry also reports that should it be possible to return to Brazil in a commercial flight, “this option should always be considered given that other repatriation options may be unfeasible or time-consuming in some countries.”
“The option of chartered flights is being considered for regions where there has been a full interruption of air traffic and other repatriation options are unfeasible,” The Ministry reported. “These are flights paid for by the Brazilian government and that depend on specific negotiations with foreign governments, not only at the flight’s origin, but, in several occasions, with potential stopovers.”
Below is the status of the main airlines operating in Brazil. The text will be constantly updated with changes that occur in the airlines’ networks:
Azul:
The Brazilian company operates direct flights from Viracopos airport in Campinas/SP to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Lisbon, Portugal.
The company will resume its route from Campinas to Orlando from June 3rd.
Regarding flights to Lisbon, the Portuguese government on Friday, May 16th, lifted the suspension of flights to Brazil that had been in place since late January, but only for essential trips. The ban on Brazilian tourists entering Portugal is still in force.
Azul reported through its press office that it would resume its connections between Campinas and Lisbon from Sunday, April 18th, with three weekly flights.
Despite the release of regular and commercial flights, the restrictions on access by non-Europeans or non-residents are still in place. Hence, only Portuguese, European Union citizens or those who have a permanent residence in the country are able to travel at this time.
Passengers flying from Brazil to Portugal on direct flights or with stopovers in other countries are required to present a negative Covid-19 test performed within 72 hours before boarding and must quarantine for 2 weeks upon landing on Portuguese soil.
GOL:
The Brazilian airline intends to resume its international flights in the second semester of 2021.
LATAM:
The Brazilian airline operates reduced routes from São Paulo to Santiago, Montevideo, Asunción, Madrid, Lisbon, Buenos Aires, Frankfurt, Mexico City, New York and Miami.
From June 1st, the airline will resume flights from Guarulhos (GRU) to Lima; from June 4th, to Cancún; from June 16th, to London; and from July 1st, to Bogotá.
LATAM has not yet resumed operations from Brazil to Orlando, Boston, Barcelona, Milan, Paris, Tel Aviv, Johannesburg, Cordoba, Mendoza, Bariloche, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Falkland Islands and Punta del Este.
Due to recent government restrictions, the company has also suspended the flights that had been resumed to London. Below are further details about government suspensions and determinations:
* Flights to Lisbon: the Portuguese government on Friday, April 16th, lifted its suspension of flights to Brazil that had been in place since late January, however, only for essential travel. The ban on Brazilian tourists entering Portugal remains in force.
Essential trips are defined as those intended to allow the transit or entry of citizens for professional, study, family reunion, health or humanitarian reasons.
LATAM reported through its press office that it would restart operations between São Paulo and Lisbon as of April 22nd.
Passengers flying from Brazil to Portugal on direct flights or with stopovers in other countries are required to present a negative Covid-19 test performed 72 hours before boarding and must undergo quarantine for 2 weeks upon arrival on Portuguese soil.
* Flights to Frankfurt: the German government decided on Friday, January 29th, to ban travelers coming from Brazil and other countries with a strong incidence of the most transmissible variants of the novel coronavirus. The ban came into force on Saturday, January 30th, and was recently extended at least until May 12th. The measure provides exceptions for German citizens, core family members of Germans traveling with them (core family includes spouses, registered partners, minor children and parents of minor children), people with residence and right of abode in Germany, as well as transit passengers (no entry into Germany) and for cargo and humanitarian transport.
* Flights to Madrid: The Spanish government announced that passengers on flights from several countries, such as Brazil and South Africa, will have to undergo quarantine at home or accommodation for 10 days immediately after landing in the country. However, the isolation period may be reduced upon presentation of a negative Covid-19 test performed on the 7th day of quarantine. Direct flights from Brazil to Spain can only carry passengers who are Spanish and Andorran citizens and residents, or international transit travelers with a stopover of less than 24 hours, not allowed to leave the airport.
* Flights to London: the UK introduced stricter rules for passengers arriving from countries like Brazil from February 15th. Passengers will have to book and pay £1,750 (about US$2,489) for a 10-day quarantine in hotels authorized by the British government.
Aerolíneas Argentinas:
The Argentine company has once again suspended its scheduled operations to Brazil due to low demand because of the pandemic in May and June. Flights to São Paulo will be limited to chartered and special repatriation flights; the route to Rio de Janeiro, on the other hand, has been completely suspended.
Aeromexico:
The Mexican company operates regular flights between Mexico City and São Paulo.
Air Canada:
The Canadian company decided to temporarily suspend the route between São Paulo and Toronto. The route should be restarted from July 6th.
Even if passengers make a connection in another country, the Canadian government has implemented new rules for entry into the country as of February 22nd: in addition to the requirement of taking a PCR test for Covid-19 upon arrival in the country, passengers must wait for the result by staying for 3 nights in a hotel specified by the local government, and costs will be borne by travelers. After that, a 14-day quarantine is mandatory. Passengers must also check if they fall under the essential travel rules.
Air China:
The Chinese company, which runs the São Paulo-Madrid-Beijing route, has suspended its operations on this route until June 30th. It also states that the resumption of operations will depend on the prevention and control of Covid-19.
Air Europa:
The Spanish airline operates flights from Madrid to São Paulo.
As for the route to Madrid, the Spanish government announced that passengers on flights coming from several countries, such as Brazil and South Africa, will be required to undergo quarantine at home or accommodation for 10 days immediately after landing in the country. However, the isolation period may be reduced upon presentation of a negative Covid-19 test performed on the 7th day of quarantine. Direct flights from Brazil to Spain may only carry passengers who are Spanish and Andorran citizens and residents, or international transit travelers with a stopover of less than 24 hours in Brazil, who were not allowed to leave the airport.
The company’s reservation system does not yet provide information on the resumption of flights from the Spanish capital to Brazilian tourist cities Salvador, Fortaleza and Recife.
Air France:
The French company runs the route from Paris to São Paulo (5 flights per week) and Rio de Janeiro (3 flights per week).
According to information on the website of the French Embassy in Brazil, travelers must prove that the purpose of their travel to France is in accordance with one of the reasons below:
* French nationals, their spouses and children;
* Nationals of the European Union, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland who have their main residence in France, as well as their spouses;
* Third-country nationals, including Brazil, who have a valid residence permit (titre de séjour), or a valid French or European long-stay visa, and have their primary residence in France (valid only for departures from European territory that have taken place before January 31st, 2021, or that have been justified by a compelling reason);
* Third-country nationals holding a long-stay visa for family reunion (“regroupement familiale” visa), including refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection, and stateless persons (“réunification familiale” visa)
* Employees of land, air and maritime transport sectors or providers of goods transport services, including drivers of any vehicle transporting goods intended for use in the territory, as well as those solely in transit or traveling as passengers to reach their base of departure or to complete their professional training;
* Foreign employees exercising their duties at a diplomatic or consular mission, or at an international organization with headquarters or office in France, as well as their spouses and children; and;
* Travelers in transit in an international zone for less than 24 hours.
Travelers from Brazil who wish to return to France and are authorized to enter the territory must present:
* For travelers over the age of 11, an RT-PCR test for Covid with a negative result and performed less than 36 hours before departure (relative to the first flight for travel with connection) or an RT-PCR test for Covid with a negative result and performed less than 72 hours before departure, accompanied by an antigenic test with a negative result for Covid and performed less than 24 hours before departure.
* An International Travel Certificate in which the traveler commits to a 10-day confinement upon arrival in France;
* Proof of residence or booking of accommodation suitable for quarantine or isolation (hotel or the like), which enables authorities to find the location in question to verify compliance with the measures in place – travelers who will be in isolation in a place provided by the administration (territorial support units intended for better monitoring of persons in isolation) or who will only be in transit in an international zone are exempt from this obligation;
* A solemn declaration in which the traveler assures:
– They show no symptoms of Covid-19 infection;
– They have no knowledge of having had contact with persons who tested positive for Covid-19 in the 14 days prior to travel;
– For travelers over the age of 11, they consent to a test or biological examination for SARS-CoV-2 upon arrival in the country.
All travelers departing from Brazil who are cleared to enter French territory and wish to return to France must undergo a 10-day isolation period upon arrival. Before boarding, travelers must provide proof of residence or reservation of appropriate accommodation for quarantine or isolation (hotel or the like), enabling authorities to find the place in question to verify compliance with the measures in place – travelers who will isolate in a location provided by the administration (territorial support units intended for better monitoring of persons in isolation) are exempt from this obligation.
Alitalia:
Italy suspended flights departing from Brazil from January 16th and banned entry to passengers who have passed through the country in the past 14 days, due to concerns about a new variant of coronavirus originating in Amazonas. Those coming to Italy from Brazil via connections in other countries will be required to take a test to detect the virus.
Amaszonas:
The Bolivian airline resumed its route between Santa Cruz de la Sierra and São Paulo, but on February 24th announced that it would no longer operate the route between March 1st and August 31st. The company intends to resume flights once again as of September 1st.
In the company’s reservation system, the resumption of the routes from Rio de Janeiro and Foz do Iguaçu to Santa Cruz de la Sierra is not shown.
American Airlines:
American Airlines operates from São Paulo to Miami, Dallas and New York; and from Miami to Rio de Janeiro.
The company has suspended its flights between Manaus and Miami until at least November 2nd.
The company decided to permanently end its operations between Los Angeles and São Paulo; from New York to Rio de Janeiro; and from Miami to Brasilia.
Avianca:
After suspending its flights from Bogotá to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro due to a Colombian government decision banning flights from Brazil from entering its territory, Avianca will resume its flights to São Paulo from July 1st, and to Rio de Janeiro from July 2nd.
Avior:
The Venezuelan company operates between Caracas and Manaus.
Boliviana de Aviación (BoA):
The Bolivian company operates flights from São Paulo to Santa Cruz de la Sierra. There is no forecast yet for the resumption of the direct route between São Paulo and La Paz.
British Airways:
The airline suspended routes from London to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro after in late December the UK government identified a second mutation of the coronavirus with a higher risk of contagion in British territory.
However, the British company intends to resume direct flights from London to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro from July 1st.
In addition, the UK introduced stricter rules for passengers flying in from countries like Brazil from February 15th. Passengers will be required to book and pay £1,750 (about R$13,000) for a 10-day quarantine in hotels authorized by the British government.
The British airline’s reservation system states that direct flights from London to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro will be resumed from July 1st.
Cabo Verde Airlines:
The African country’s airline, which operated flights in Brazil from Sal Island to Fortaleza, Recife and Porto Alegre, has suspended all its operations.
Copa Airlines:
The Panamanian company has resumed its operations from Panama City to São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Porto Alegre and Manaus.
The company is expected to resume its flights from the Panamanian capital to Recife and Salvador only in the second semester of 2021.
Delta Airlines:
The American company operates from São Paulo to Atlanta and New York.
There is no forecast yet for the resumption of direct flights between Rio de Janeiro and Atlanta.
Eastern:
The American airline will begin its operations from Miami (starting June 28th), New York (June 29th) and Boston (July 1st) to Belo Horizonte.
Edelweiss:
The Swiss airline has not yet resumed its flights between Zurich and Rio de Janeiro.
Emirates:
The airline has resumed passenger flights on the route between São Paulo and Dubai as of March 1st, however, in specific situations: only travelers who have an immediate connection in Dubai will be accepted, that is, who will stay in the airport’s transit area to board another Emirates flight shortly thereafter to destinations offered by the company from its hub. Passengers from Brazil who have their final destination or wish to make a free stopover in Dubai are still banned. There is no deadline set for the operation to be normalized.
In the opposite direction (from Dubai to São Paulo), the situation remains normal, but passengers must meet the requirements for entry into Brazil, such as presenting a negative test for Covid-19.
There is no estimate as to when the company will resume flights between Dubai and Rio de Janeiro.
Ethiopian Airlines:
Ethiopia’s national carrier operates the route between São Paulo and Addis Ababa.
FlyBondi:
The Argentine low-cost airline’s flights from Buenos Aires to São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Porto Alegre are expected to be resumed from September 2021.
Iberia:
The Spanish airline operates direct flights from Madrid to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
As for flights to Madrid, the Spanish government has announced that passengers on flights from several countries, such as Brazil and South Africa, will have to undergo quarantine at home or accommodation for 10 days immediately upon landing in the country. However, the isolation period may be reduced upon presentation of a negative Covid-19 test performed on the 7th day of quarantine. Direct flights from Brazil to Spain can only carry passengers who are Spanish and Andorran citizens and residents or international transit travelers with a stopover of less than 24 hours, not allowed to leave the airport.
JetSmart:
The Chilean low-cost airline will resume its flights from Santiago to Foz do Iguaçu as of September 2nd.
There is no forecast yet for the resumption of the route from the Chilean capital to São Paulo and Salvador.
KLM:
The Dutch airline operates the route from Amsterdam to São Paulo (daily flights) and Rio de Janeiro (5 weekly flights).
The Netherlands has relaxed the Covid-19 testing requirements for entry and connection in the country: as of March 16th, an additional quick test is no longer required for transfer passengers. The Dutch government’s new policy is as follows:
* Passengers making a connection in the Netherlands and continuing to travel by air need only present a negative PCR test result issued 72 hours from arrival in Amsterdam;
* All passengers over the age of 13 traveling from high-risk countries, including Brazil, must present: a negative PCR test result issued within 24 hours before boarding (instead of 12 hours) or must present a negative rapid test result issued within 24 hours before boarding (instead of 4 hours) and a negative PCR test result issued within 72 hours before arrival in Amsterdam.
The following are permitted to travel to the Netherlands (as a final destination) and as a connection to EU countries:
* Dutch and Schengen Area citizens;
* Residents of the Netherlands and the Schengen area;
* Medical and maritime teams and airline crew members.
Lufthansa:
The German airline operates the route between Frankfurt and São Paulo.
On Friday, January 29th, the German government decided to ban travelers coming from Brazil and other countries with a high level of transmissible variants of the novel coronavirus from entering the country. The ban came into force on Saturday, January 30th, and was recently extended until at least May 12th.
The measure provides exceptions for German citizens, core family members of Germans traveling with them (core family includes spouses, registered partners, minor children, and parents of minor children), people with residence and right of abode in Germany, as well as transit passengers (no entry into Germany) and for cargo and humanitarian transport.
The company plans to resume its flights from Frankfurt to Rio de Janeiro (3 times a week) from June 1st. The booking system does not yet show the resumption of flights between Munich and São Paulo.
Norwegian:
The low-cost airline’s website, which operated the route between London and Rio de Janeiro, showed flights available from October 26th (3 times a week). However, the company decided to restructure and, to rebalance its cash flow, the company’s transatlantic flights are to be canceled. It intends to focus only on short-haul routes.
Qatar Airways:
The Qatari company operates flights between São Paulo and Doha.
Royal Air Maroc:
The Moroccan company has not yet resumed its flights from Casablanca to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Sky:
The Chilean low-cost carrier resumed its flights from Santiago to Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo from early May.
The reservation system does not yet indicate the resumption of the route from the Chilean capital to Salvador and Florianópolis.
South African Airways (SAA):
Before the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the South African airline had announced the cancellation of its route between São Paulo and Johannesburg.
Surinam Airways:
The Surinam airline has not yet resumed its flights between Panamaribo and Belém.
Swiss:
The Swiss company operates the route between Zurich and São Paulo.
TAAG – Angola Airlines:
The Angolan airline was to resume scheduled flights from Luanda to São Paulo from March 19th, but announced that it canceled the decision due to new variants of the coronavirus in Brazil.
TAP:
The Portuguese government on Friday, April 16th, lifted the suspension of flights with Brazil that had been in place since late January, however, only for essential travel. The ban on Brazilian tourists entering Portugal remains in place.
Essential trips are those aimed at allowing the transit or entry of citizens for professional, study, family reunion, health or humanitarian reasons.
TAP reports that during the month of April, the airline planned to operate a total of 25 weekly flights to 6 destinations in Brazil:
* Two weekly flights from Lisbon to Brasilia;
* Two flights a week from Lisbon to Belo Horizonte;
* Three weekly flights from Lisbon to Fortaleza;
* Five weekly flights from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro;
* One weekly flight from Oporto to Rio de Janeiro;
* Six weekly flights from Lisbon to São Paulo;
* Two weekly flights from Lisbon to Recife;
* Two weekly flights to Recife/Maceió;
* Two weekly flights from Lisbon to Salvador.
Passengers flying from Brazil to Portugal on direct flights or with stopovers in other countries must present a negative Covid-19 test performed 72 hours before boarding and must quarantine for 2 weeks upon landing on Portuguese soil.
Turkish Airlines:
The Turkish company operates flights between São Paulo and Istanbul.
However, there are restrictions for passengers traveling to Turkey who have been in Brazil in the 10 days prior to their trip: they must undergo a 14-day quarantine at locations designated by the Turkish government. On the 10th day of quarantine, passengers are required to take a second Covid-19 test. If the result is negative, the isolation period ends. The airline also recalls that passengers aged 6 and older who have visited Brazil and are headed to Turkey will be required to present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to boarding.
Passengers traveling from Brazil to another country with a connection in Istanbul will not need to take a Covid-19 test in Turkey, however, these transit travelers must observe their final destination’s entry rules, such as presenting a negative PCR test and potential quarantines.
Passengers flying between Istanbul and São Paulo, on the other hand, must observe Brazil’s entry rules.
United:
The American airline operates flights from São Paulo to Houston, New York (Newark) and Chicago, in addition to the route between Rio de Janeiro and Houston.
The reservation system does not yet show the resumption of the São Paulo to Washington route.
Virgin Airways:
The British airline, which had deferred the launch of its route between London and São Paulo from March 29th to October 5th, decided not to start the route between the English capital and Guarulhos international airport.
Source: DW