Yet Another Low-Cost Airline Applies to Start Operating in Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Yet another low-cost airline has applied to operate in Brazil, reported yesterday, August 26th, the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC).

According to ANAC, JetSmart applied last week to operate flights out of Argentina and Chile and into Brazil.

The U.S. fund Indigo Partners own the company. According to the agency, three low-cost companies had already applied for authorization to fly in Brazil, the European Norwegian, Chilean Sky Airlines, and Argentina’s Flybondi.

ANAC believes that these applications are linked to the elimination of the free luggage allowance. Under the current policy, passengers may carry up to 10 kilos as hand luggage. Congress once approved the return of the luggage allowance, and it was included in the text of a bill enacted by the Chamber of Deputies, but president Jair Bolsonaro ultimately vetoed it.

Today, August 27th, Congress is to hold a session to examine several presidential vetoes, including the veto on the section reinstating luggage allowance and setting a limit of 23 kilos as free luggage allowance for aircraft holding over 31 passengers.