Brazil has established a new agreement with Turkey, paving the way for Turkish Airlines to increase its South American flights.
Signed at the an International Civil Aviation Negotiation event in Riyadh, this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) removes limits on flight numbers between the two countries.
It opens doors for Turkish Airlines to enhance its presence in Brazil’s market and potentially extend its reach across the region.
Turkish Airlines currently flies 11 times a week from Istanbul to São Paulo, with seven of these flights continuing to Buenos Aires. These operations use the Airbus A350-900.
In 2022, a partnership with GOL Airlines was formed, targeting expansion to other South American cities such as Lima, Montevideo, and Santiago.
Opportunities arise as GOL has reduced its international flights to key areas like Lima and Santiago, offering Turkish Airlines chances for growth.
The airline’s growth strategy includes adding Rio de Janeiro to its network. Plans for Santiago are in place, although delayed.
This MoU also opens up possibilities for Turkish Airlines to use Brazilian cities as stopovers for flights to other regional destinations.
Brazil and Turkey Sign Deal to Boost Airline Routes
The airline has not announced a specific start date for flights to Rio de Janeiro.
However, the airline’s keen interest and support from the Turkish government hint at upcoming developments.
In addition to the Turkish agreement, Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) has secured several other air service agreements.
During the Riyadh event, six agreements were signed, including new ones with Antigua and Barbuda and Uganda and updated ones with Austria, Italy, Iceland, and Saudi Arabia.
Similar to the Turkish deal, these agreements also focus on expanding flight capacities.
Importantly, they allow foreign airlines to align with Brazil’s 2019 law, enabling them to own Brazilian companies fully.
The Turkey-Brazil MoU and agreements allow mixed cargo services with countries like Qatar and the UAE, showcasing Brazil’s commitment to enhancing the reach and adaptability of its aviation sector.