Brazil shifts from subsidies for regional aviation to more liberal regulatory framework

Brazil's Secretary of Civil Aviation Ronei Glanzmann commented on Brazil's regional aviation development programme, stating that the programme seeks to increase regional airports with regular operations from 122 to 200 by 2025 (Valor, 14-Oct-2019). The current Government shifted the regional aviation strategy which was developed by previous governments, from offering up to BRL500 million (USD121.2 million) in subsidies, to a strategy which offers greater regulatory framework freedom, incentivising the regional feeder model where smaller carriers feed larger carriers in larger airports. One of the measures implemented by Brazil ANAC eliminates the 15 weekly frequency restriction for air taxi operators wanting to operate regular service, enabling them to become feeders.