RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – (DW) Several airlines have cut international flights to Brazil due to the coronavirus pandemic and travel restrictions imposed by several countries. However, most airlines currently operate connections from cities abroad, mainly to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
The international routes still in activity are being used by Brazilians who are abroad to return to Brazil. Itamaraty said in a statement that it is seeking all options to repatriate nationals residing in Brazil who have encountered problems with their return flights to the country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also reports that if it is possible to return to Brazil by commercial flight, “this option should always be considered considering that other repatriation options may be unfeasible or time-consuming in some places.”
“The option of chartered flights is being considered for regions where there has been a total interruption of air traffic and other repatriation possibilities are not feasible,” the note sent to DW Brazil said. “These are flights paid for by the Brazilian government and that depend on specific negotiations with foreign governments, not only at the origin of the flight but, on several occasions, with possible stopovers.”
See below for the situation 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.
Regarding flights to Lisbon, the Portuguese government has extended the suspension of all direct flights between Brazil and Portugal until at least April 15. The decision was made due to the increase in the number of coronavirus cases in the European country, mainly related to the new covid-19 strain that appeared in the Amazon.
Passengers flying from Brazil to Portugal making stopovers in other countries must present a negative covid-19 test performed 72 hours before boarding and have to be quarantined for two weeks after arrival on Portuguese soil.
GOL:
The Brazilian airline plans to resume its international flights in June.
Latam:
The Brazilian/Chilean airline operates reduced routes from São Paulo to Santiago, Montevideo, Asuncion, Madrid, Frankfurt, Mexico City, New York and Miami.
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 also suspended operations that had been resumed to London, Lisbon, Bogotá and Lima. See more details below about the suspensions and governmental determinations:
* Flights to Buenos Aires: the Argentine government has suspended all flights to and from Brazil, Chile and Mexico. The new restrictions go into effect at midnight on Saturday (03/27) and are indefinite. The measure is intended to contain the advance of a second wave of covid-19 in Argentina and the proliferation of new variants that are already present in neighboring countries. The air border is open only to Argentines and residents returning from abroad. Tourists have been barred from entering the country since December 25. Travelers must pay for three covid-19 tests to enter Argentina: one before boarding, upon arrival in the country, and one after seven days. Even if the test is negative, the traveler must still undergo a ten-day quarantine.
* Flights to Frankfurt: the German government decided on Friday (29/01) to ban travelers coming from Brazil and other countries with a strong presence of more transmissible variants of the new coronavirus. The ban came into force as of Saturday (30/01) and was recently extended at least until April 28. 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), persons 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 has announced that passengers on flights from several countries, such as Brazil and South Africa, will have to undergo quarantine in a home or accommodation for ten days immediately after arriving in the country. The isolation period may be reduced, however, upon presentation of a negative covid-19 test performed on the seventh day of quarantine. Direct flights from Brazil to Spain can only carry passengers who are Spanish and Andorran citizens and residents, or by international transit travelers with a stopover of less than 24 hours, without the possibility of leaving the airport.
* Flights to London: Latam has suspended the route between São Paulo and London as of December 25, the date of resumption is subject to the determinations of the Brazilian government authorities. The decision comes after the UK government identified in late December a second mutation of the coronavirus with a higher risk of contagion in British territory. In addition, the UK has instituted tougher rules for those arriving from countries like Brazil as of February 15. Passengers will have to book and pay 1,750 pounds (about 13,000 reals) to spend a 10-day quarantine in hotels authorized by the British government.
* Flights to Lisbon: the Portuguese government has extended the suspension of all direct flights between Brazil and Portugal until at least April 15. The resumption of Latam flights to the Portuguese capital is subject to the determinations of the country’s authorities. The goal is to avoid the increase of coronavirus cases with the circulation of new variants.
As of this Sunday (03/07), passengers flying from Brazil to Portugal with stopovers in other countries must present a negative covid-19 test performed 72 hours before boarding and must be quarantined for two weeks after arrival.
* Flights to Lima: the Peruvian government maintains the suspension of commercial flights with Brazil and Europe.
* Flights to Bogota: the Colombian government maintains the suspension of commercial flights from Brazil. There is still no specific date for releasing operations between the two countries.
Aerolíneas Argentinas:
The Argentine government has suspended all flights to and from Brazil, Chile and Mexico. The new restrictions go into effect at midnight on Saturday (03/27) and are indefinite. The measure is intended to contain the advance of a second wave of covid-19 in Argentina and the proliferation of new variants that are already present in neighboring countries. The air border is open only to Argentines and residents returning from abroad. Tourists have been barred from entering the country since December 25. Travelers must pay for three covid-19 tests to enter Argentina: one before boarding, upon arrival in the country, and one after seven days. Even if the test comes back negative, the passenger must carry out a ten-day quarantine.
Aeromexico:
The Mexican company operates regular flights between Mexico City and São Paulo.
Air Canada:
The Canadian airline has decided to temporarily suspend the route between São Paulo and Toronto from February 17 to May 1.
Even if a passenger makes a connection in another country, the Canadian government has instituted new entry rules to the country as of February 22: besides having to take the PCR test for covid-19 upon arrival in the country, the passenger will have to wait for the result by staying for three nights in a hotel indicated by the local government, and the costs will be borne by the traveler. After that, a 14-day quarantine is mandatory. The passenger also has to observe if he fits 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 30. 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 have to submit to a quarantine in a home or accommodation for ten days immediately after arriving in the country. The isolation period may be reduced, however, upon presentation of a negative covid-19 test performed on the seventh day of quarantine. Direct flights from Brazil to Spain can only carry passengers who are Spanish and Andorran citizens and residents, or by international transit travelers with a stopover of less than 24 hours, without the possibility of leaving the airport.
The company’s reservation system does not yet indicate information about the resumption of flights from the Spanish capital to Salvador, Fortaleza and Recife.
Air France:
France announced on Tuesday (04/13) the suspension of all flights from Brazil until further notice to try to prevent the spread of the Brazilian variant of the coronavirus.
Prior to the government’s suspension of flights, Air France operated the route from Paris to São Paulo (daily flights) and Rio de Janeiro (four flights per week).
Alitalia:
Italy has suspended flights departing from Brazil as of January 16 and banned passengers who have passed through the country in the past 14 days from entering the country due to concerns about a new variant of coronavirus originating in the Amazon. Those arriving in Italy from Brazil via connections in other countries will be required to take a test to detect the virus.
Amaszonas:
The Bolivian airline resumed the route between Santa Cruz de la Sierra and São Paulo, but announced on February 24 that it will no longer operate the route between March 1 and August 31. The company intends to resume flights once again as of September 1.
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 indicated.
American Airlines:
American Airlines operates from São Paulo to Miami, Dallas and New York; and from Miami to Rio de Janeiro and Manaus.
The company decided to permanently close its operations between Los Angeles and São Paulo; from New York to Rio de Janeiro; and from Miami to Brasilia.
Avianca:
Avianca has suspended its flights from Bogotá to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro following a decision by the Colombian Ministry of Health and Social Protection, which ordered the suspension of entry into Colombian territory of flights from Brazil. The Colombian government has not yet communicated a specific date to release operations between the two countries.
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 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 the UK government identified in late December a second mutation of the coronavirus with a higher risk of contagion in British territory.
In addition, the UK has instituted tougher rules for those arriving from countries such as Brazil as of February 15. Passengers will have to book and pay 1,750 pounds (about 13,000 reais) to spend a 10-day quarantine in hotels authorized by the British government.
Cape 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 half 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 starts its operations from Belo Horizonte to Boston on May 30 on May 31 and to New York on June 1.
Edelweiss:
The Swiss airline has not yet resumed its flights between Zurich and Rio de Janeiro.
Emirates:
The airline has resumed carrying passengers on the route between São Paulo and Dubai as of March 1, 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 who have a final destination or wish to make a free stopover in Dubai are still prohibited from traveling from Brazil. There is no deadline set for the normalization of the operation.
In the opposite direction (from Dubai to Sao 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 prediction of 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 resume 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 in a home or accommodation for ten days immediately after arriving in the country. The isolation period may be reduced, however, upon presentation of a negative covid-19 test performed on the seventh day of quarantine. Direct flights from Brazil to Spain can only carry passengers who are Spanish and Andorran citizens and residents or by international transit travelers with a stopover of less than 24 hours, without the possibility of leaving the airport.
JetSmart:
The Chilean low-cost company will resume its flights between Santiago to Foz do Iguaçu as of July 1.
There is no forecast yet for the resumption of the route from the Chilean capital to São Paulo and Salvador.
KLM:
The Dutch company operates the route from Amsterdam to São Paulo (daily flights) and Rio de Janeiro (five weekly frequencies).
The Netherlands has relaxed the covid-19 testing requirements for entry and connection into the country: as of March 16, 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 customers 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 company operates the route between Frankfurt and São Paulo.
The German government decided on Friday (29/01) to ban travelers coming from Brazil and other countries with a strong presence of more transmissible variants of the new coronavirus from entering the country. The ban came into effect as of Saturday (30/01) and was recently extended at least until April 28.
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), persons 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 (three times a week) as of June 1. The booking system does not yet indicate the resumption of flights between Munich and São Paulo.
Norwegian:
The website of the low-cost company, which operated the route between London and Rio de Janeiro, showed flights available from October 26 (three times a week). However, the company decided to make restructuring and, to rebalance its cash, the company’s transatlantic flights should be canceled. It wants 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 will resume its flights from Santiago to Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo starting in early May.
The reservation system does not yet indicate the resumption of the route from the Chilean capital to Salvador and Florianopolis.
South African Airways (SAA):
Before the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the South African airline had already 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 Belem.
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 as of March 19, but announced that it canceled the decision due to new variants of the coronavirus in Brazil.
TAP:
The Portuguese government has decided that all direct flights between Brazil and Portugal are suspended until at least April 15. The decision was made due to the increase in the number of coronavirus cases in the European country, mainly related to the new covid-19 strain that appeared in the Amazon.
In late January, Portugal had already suspended for two weeks the direct flights of all airlines arriving or departing in the direction of Brazil. Now it has extended the deadline to March 31. The only exceptions are humanitarian, repatriation, and cargo flights.
TAP operated flights to several destinations in Brazil, such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Fortaleza, Belo Horizonte, and Maceió; Latam flew from Guarulhos to Lisbon; and Azul from Campinas to Lisbon.
If the passenger decides to travel to Portugal making a stopover in another country, he will have to present a negative covid-19 test done within 72 hours before boarding and comply with a 14-day isolation period after landing. It is important to remember that the country of stopover or connection may also have separate boarding restrictions for Portugal.
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 ten days prior to their trip: they must go through a 14-day quarantine in places designated by the Turkish government. On the tenth day of the quarantine, passengers must take a second covid-19 test. If the result is negative, the isolation period ends. The airline also reminds passengers six years of age and older who have visited Brazil and are headed to Turkey must show a negative PCR test done 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 the entry rules of the final destination, such as showing a negative PCR test and possible quarantines.
Passengers 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 indicate the resumption of the route from São Paulo to Washington.
Virgin Airways:
The British airline, which had postponed the launch of the route between London and São Paulo from March 29 to October 5, decided not to start the route between the English capital and Guarulhos international airport.