By Lise Alves, Senior Contributing Reporter
SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL – Despite the disappointing numbers in air transportation traffic during the World Cup games in June and July, domestic air transportation demand in Brazil grew by 5.4 percent from January to September, according to ABEAR (Brazilian Association of Airline Companies). The association reports that in September alone domestic air travel grew by three percent in comparison to September 2013.
“The increase in demand for leisure air travel during a period of declining corporate demand is one of the factors which contributed to a positive result during a time of slower economic growth in the country,” stated the entity in a press release this week.
According to the association during September the four largest airline companies in Brazil (TAM, Gol, Avianca and Azul) transported more than 6.7 million passengers, 3.8 percent more than during the same period in 2013. For the third quarter (July – September) the increase was of 2.9 percent (20.5 million) and for the year an increase of 3.7 percent.
The ABEAR data shows that ASK (Available Seat Kilometers) increased in September by 1.3 percent in relation to the previous month, the first increase since January and the Load Factor (seats occupied) was of 78.67 percent.
In terms of market share for the main Brazilian airline companies in September, TAM continued to lead with 38.39 percent of the domestic market share, followed by Gol with 35.26 percent, Azul with 17.26 percent and Avianca with 9.09 percent. International air travel also continued to grow in September. Demand for international flights increased by 8.7 percent while the total amount of seats offered increased by 1.8 percent.