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(Corrects December 12 article to explain in the fourth paragraph that KLM does fly to Fortaleza)
SAO PAULO, Dec 12 (Reuters) – Air France KLM is confident about the prospects for Brazil’s market in 2024, an executive for the airline said on Tuesday, following a year of good results, including high load factors and strong demand.
The airline operates 39 weekly flights in Brazil, 25 on Air France and 14 on KLM. That’s down from 44 weekly flights before the COVID-19 pandemic, but up from 32 last year.
“We have confidence in Brazil for 2024,” Manuel Flahault, France’s managing director for KLM South America, told reporters, noting that the Brazilian market has been “very resilient. “
Air France offers flights from Paris to Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Fortaleza, as well as between Belém and Cayenne, the capital of French Guiana. KLM flies to Amsterdam, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.
Qatar Airways – which has increased its Sao Paulo-Doha routes – and Chilean airline Latam, which recently regained the lead in traffic between the United States and Brazil for the first time since the pandemic, are positive about Brazil.
Air France had an average load of 91. 4 percent through October on flights connecting Brazil and Europe, while KLM’s was 91. 3 percent, Flahault said.
The airline’s goal is to maintain solid numbers in the new year. “The first symptoms of the first and second trimester are positive,” said the executive.
However, management expansion may prove challenging for the company in the short term as it struggles with aircraft availability and aircraft brands delay deliveries due to supply chain issues.
The post-pandemic pilot shortage has also slowed plans, Flahault added.
Air France KLM also has a partnership with Brazilian airline Gol, recently extended for 10 years. (Reporting by Gabriel Araujo; editing by Leslie Adler)