Brazil Flight Information!!

[michaelbush]

This is a different story that I have from the tourist board in Petropolis. Apparently the sale of charter flight seats is meant to be a package, including hotel. The sale of seat only is not permitted officially. Thomsons tried to circumvate this by selling the seat only with a one night in a small hotel,(which few bothered to use). Thomsons had problems selling the complete package but could easily sell the flight only. Hence when the hoteliers complained about occupation levels provided by these charters it came to a head. Hence the cancellation of the service here. Maybe they have come to an agreement now, but that is the version I have from the Tourist Board. If anyone has knowledge regarding the international charter rules it may help clarify the position. For instance would it be possible to charter a flight for seats only London to Natal, on a regular weekly basis?

[timatthebeach]

Hi michael,
I know it is perfectly legal to book a flight only with a package company from the U.K.. They will obviously sell the packages first as brings them more cash, but any seats left will be happily sold on a flight only basis.
Whether they have a deal with a specific country to deliver people to hotels in return for slots i dont know - however I would doubt it as the passengers (and their money)would be going to that area regardless of whether they stayed in a package hotel or not.
I get the feeling someone is telling porkies to make out it is Thomsons fault and not the airport officials..............

[robh]

Originally Posted by timatthebeach

Hi michael,
I know it is perfectly legal to book a flight only with a package company from the U.K.. They will obviously sell the packages first as brings them more cash, but any seats left will be happily sold on a flight only basis.
Whether they have a deal with a specific country to deliver people to hotels in return for slots i dont know - however I would doubt it as the passengers (and their money)would be going to that area regardless of whether they stayed in a package hotel or not.
I get the feeling someone is telling porkies to make out it is Thomsons fault and not the airport officials..............

Arkefly are still doing flight only.

[timatthebeach]

so are Thomsons......... and I imagine most other charter/package companies.

[debzor]

Direct flights between Recife (Brazil) and Cape Verde to begin in September

09-07-08

TACV Cabo Verde Airlines will begin direct flights to Recife, the capital of the Brazilian state of Pernambuco, in September, according to Pernambuco state tourism company Empetur president José Ricardo Diniz. Diniz visited Cape Verde several days ago following a trip to Senegal.





According to a number of Brazilian media outlets, the start of a weekly flight between Praia and Recife, operated by TACV, has already been confirmed. Now that the connection between Pernambuco and Cape Verde has been defined, details must still be worked out regarding flight paths and connections, as the intention is to extend the route as far as Senegalese capital Dakar. “There is a major possibility that this will happen. We have every interest in expanding into Senegal, as by operating in both countries we can consolidate Pernambuco’s name among Africans,” Diniz told Brazilian on-line newspaper Turismo, Mercado & Eventos.

With his eyes on the business tourism sector, José Ricardo Diniz says that in a subsequent phase, after consolidating Cape Verde and Senegal, the objective is to attract people from other African countries, including South Africa and Angola, for example. The site also explains that the Pernambuco state government and the government of Cape Verde are currently negotiating operational matters, such as which aircraft is to be used and what stopovers are to made, if any.

Cape Verde already has one twice-weekly direct flight to Brazil - to Ceará state capital Fortaleza. Following the success of the flight path, other Brazilian states, notably Bahia and Pernambuco, have sought to have direct flights to Cape Verde.

[debzor]

This link is worth a look -

AA And DL Applies CNF, REC/SSA, MAO And For — Civil Aviation Forum | Airliners.net

Apparently American Airlines are seeking permission to run one route Miami - Salvador - Recife - Miami daily, and Miami - Belo Horizonte - Miami 4 times a week, both to start in November.

And Delta wish to run Atlanta - Manaus - Atlanta daily, and Atlanta - Fortaleza - Atlanta 4 times a week from next year.

[davehoskings]

Originally Posted by debzor

This link is worth a look -

And Delta wish to run Atlanta - Manaus - Atlanta daily, and Atlanta - Fortaleza - Atlanta 4 times a week from next year.

I feel sorry for forteleza, 4 planeloads of rednecks every week ....

[balash]

Hello,
I'm living in Saint-Petersburg, Russia.
Now I'm buying a property near Natal.
How much is get Natal from Russia? Not 1000 euro, not 1500... But around 2000 euro in economic class! The cheapest way is AirFrance+TAM, others are more expensive.
If I have a possibility to fly by 1000 euro I would be so happy!

[Golfingworld]

There are a number of key issues mentioned above..the first is the flights from Cabo Verde....this is very important as it creates a "hub" halfway across the Atlantic. It is a pity that TACV have such a poor reputation but the issue here is that there is a Hub to NE brazil which is probablyonly 3.5 hours away. This is highly significant as CV is also outside the EU so the one way and entry qualifications for Brazilians would probably not be so stringent. What you now needs is for some bright spark from the EU to link up to North Europe. I would say CV are very clever if they develop this route as they make CV a stop over point for mid Atlantic traffic a sortof mini Dubai or Qatar. If TACV are really clever they'll increase schedules to Lisbon or Madrid as well and then Brazilians only need a return ticket from CV to get in!

Thomson..there's a lot of speculation here...the reality is that if they really wanted one more slot to natal they should have got it no problem....I think it would be highly unlikely that there was no capacity in Natal or lack of hotel rooms...my guess is that TAP muscled in and said if you allow this, we will pull out. Why because they are a junk old fashioned state run airline that depends on old fashioned methods to stay in business, which means high prices. Anyone who uses TAP knows that the staff can't workout if passengers are their for the Staff's convenience or the other way round. TAP have significant muscle in brazil as at present they are Brazil's only "National" airline with International routes. This goes back to Brazil's middle age attitude to airline business and ptotectionism..they have been so good at protecting their airline business that Varig have been bust many times and nobody else flies there apart from Rio/SP. In the meantime, Thomson have re-branded certain long haul places under 1st Choice, understanable as they were better than Thomson, certaily their airline. Plus, the 787 is now over a year late and at current costs Thomson and/or 1st Choice need it to do long haul destinations. I would doubt that Thomson made much money in Natal with limited capacity and lack of decent excursions ad I would doubt they will be back soon....face it guys..the Natal dream is what it is, a dream...long runway or new airport is irrelevant until Brazil understands tourism and air traffic.

[PAUL-brasil]

Originally Posted by balash

Hello,
I'm living in Saint-Petersburg, Russia.
Now I'm buying a property near Natal.
How much is get Natal from Russia? Not 1000 euro, not 1500... But around 2000 euro in economic class! The cheapest way is AirFrance+TAM, others are more expensive.
If I have a possibility to fly by 1000 euro I would be so happy!

Your looking at national airlines there which are always more expensive, with Airfrance you would also be flying down to Rio or Sao Paulo first then back up on yourself with Tam. Maybe look for a flight to Frankfurt then use a direct flight from Frankfurt to Recife (or Salvador) using the company Condor, from Recife there are plentiful of flights to Natal as it is only 30 odd minutes in the air. Condor often have very cheap special offers too.

Another option could be from Amsterdam, direct flights to Natal and Fortaleza using Arkefly or Cabo Verde airlines which does a quick stop in the Cape Verde Island.

And thirdly try direct from London or Manchester to Salvador using a company called 'First Choice' can be cheap if booking late which is what i have just done, from Salvador can use internal flights to Natal using Voe Gol, Tam, webjet.com.br, Ocean Air Brazil.

Then there is TAP air from Lisbon direct to Natal. TAP Air are expensive but maybe still cheaper and easier if you have a good route from Russia to lisbon, its now normally about 1000 euro for a return from Lisbon.

Hope that helps
Regards
Paul