An executive from Air France KLM expressed optimism on Tuesday about the airline's prospects in Brazil for 2024, following a year of strong performance marked by high load factors and robust demand. The airline currently operates 39 weekly flights to Brazil, including 25 by Air France and 14 by KLM.
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This is a reduction from the 44 weekly flights before the COVID-19 pandemic, but an increase from the 32 flights last year. Manuel Flahault, France KLM's General Manager for South America, expressed confidence in Brazil's potential for 2024, highlighting the resilience of the Brazilian market.
Air France operates flights connecting Paris with Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Fortaleza, as well as a route from Belem to Cayenne, the capital of French Guiana. KLM operates flights between Amsterdam and Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Fortaleza. Other airlines, including Qatar Airways and Chile's Latam, are also optimistic about Brazil. Air France reported an average load factor of 91.4% on flights between Brazil and Europe through October, while KLM's load factor was 91.3%, according to Flahault.
The airline aims to maintain these strong figures in the coming year, with Flahault noting positive indicators for the first and second quarters. However, he acknowledged that expanding routes may be challenging in the short term due to issues with aircraft availability and delayed deliveries from manufacturers. A shortage of pilots following the pandemic has also limited expansion plans. Air France KLM has a commercial partnership with Brazilian airline Gol, which was recently renewed for another decade.
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