Brazil’s airports hot up for FIFA World Cup
With the FIFA World Cup 2014 almost upon us, demand is noticeably increasing for private jet travel to Brazil – both internationally and for internal transfers between the 12 venues, which are situated all over the country. See World Cup match schedule and closest airports.
The venues are each well-served by private jet airports. Many of these are smaller airports than those used by airlines, allowing shorter ground transfers to the games. Private jet flights will also allow World Cup visitors to travel on a more flexible schedule and to spend less time at the airport.
The FIFA World Cup is one of the world’s most high profile sporting events and will attract huge numbers of visitors to Brazil, for the duration of the football tournament. Those flying by private jet to the Football World Cup 2014 will include players, teams and agents; sponsors and corporates; VIPs and celebrities; and groups of fans.
Under normal circumstances, private jet flights are booked at short notice and schedules can be flexible – it’s in the nature of our industry. But as with other major global sporting events, market demand will be at a peak for flights to Brazil during June and July. The Brazilian government is expecting its biggest ever influx of private jets for the tournament, which will create major challenges for the host airports.
This means some extra planning and special conditions apply to flights in and out of Brazil’s airports over the tournament period. Here’s how private jet flights are affected:
1) More advance planning may be required
While private aviation usually allows you to fly within as little as an hour or two of booking if required, we’re advising clients to confirm as far in advance as possible for their World Cup flights. Our 24 hour flight team will organise all the paperwork as usual for your flight, but it can take a little longer when so many flights are expected at the same airport.
Under normal circumstances, a permit to use Brazilian airports takes no more than 48 hours to arrange. But during the World Cup, the process may take up to seven days.
Other flight planning, such as crew VISAs and landing permits, may also take longer than usual. So in order to ensure your preferred flight schedule, when you are flying into such a major event, it pays to confirm your plans in advance.
2) Aircraft may need to reposition for parking in Brazil
While most airports usually have space for aircraft to park while waiting for a return flight, airports serving the World Cup venues will have very limited parking available for private jet aircraft – before, during and for at least a week after the tournament.
This means many aircraft operators will need to use other, close-by airports as overflow parking, while aircraft are on the ground between flights.
Demand for aircraft services such as fuel, catering, water, crew rest and maintenance will also be higher than usual, so overflow airports will act as service facilities, as well as parking lots.
This won’t affect the passengers, as long as a schedule is confirmed in advance. However if you require a change of timings, this might take a little longer than usual to arrange.
3) Scheduled slots will be required
Not many airports are slot-coordinated for private jets under normal circumstances – flexibility is one of the main benefits of private aviation after all. But most – if not all – of the private jet airports close to the World Cup venues will be tightly scheduled during the World Cup.
Airports will issue something called a NOTAM (Notices to Airmen) to indicate availability of parking and maximum time on the ground. This again means it can take more time for airport authorities to process flight requests.
Airports that are not currently slot-coordinated may become so closer to the event, if demand increases beyond a certain level.
These airports have already confirmed that they will require slots:
- Guarulhos (SBGR)
- Congonhas (SBSP)
- Campinas (SBKP)
- Sao Jose dos Campos (SBSJ)
- Galeao International (SBGL)
- Santos Dumont (SBRJ)
- Jacarepagua (SBJR)
- Tancredo Neves (SBCF)
- Pampulha (SBBH)
- Brasilia International (SBBR)
- Goiania (SBGO)
- Pinto Martins International (SBFZ)
- Guararapes (SBRF)
- Augusto Severo (SBNT)
- D. Luis Eduardo Magalhaes (SBSV)
- Marechal Rondon (SBCY)
- Campo Grande (SBCG)
- Afonso Pena (SBCT)
- Bacacheri (SBBI)
- Florianopolis (SBFL)
- Eduardo Gomes International (SBEG)
- Salgado Filho (SBPA)
4) Airports will be closed before and during matches
Primary airports for the 2014 World Cup will have some closures on match days during the tournaments, including one hour before a match and for three to four hours afterwards. These restrictions will be in place for all aircraft, regardless of who is on board.
If 100% capacity is reached, airport closures may take place at other times to new flight bookings – so again it makes sense to plan ahead as far as possible.
Some airports are also expected to close entirely for helicopters during the World Cup period.
Our 24-hour Flight Team can give expert advice and pricing for your private jet and helicopter flights for the Brazil World Cup 2014. Contact us or call +44 1747 642 777
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