American Airlines, TAM Vie for Flyers
Not since the heyday of Varig has there been the kind of competition we're witnessing just now down to Brazil. Fast-growing TAM (which has inherited Varig's mantle as Brazil's premier flag carrier) (Web site: www.tam.com.br) plans to launch Belo Horizonte (BHZ) - Rio de Janeiro (GIG) - Miami (MIA) service on September 19.
About a month-and-a-half later on November 2 American Airlines will jump in with nonstop service from its Miami megahub to Belo Horizonte.
More evidence that Brazil is blossoming: before year's end, TAM intends to begin nonstop service between New York and Rio, as well as Orlando and Sao Paulo. Even (perhaps especially) in these lean times for airlines, carriers are looking to forge “high-yield” international routes - routes to places with robust economies.
Right now, and for the foreseeable future, Brazil fits that bill nicely.
© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler