After more than a year of waiting, the National Monetary Council (CMN) approved this Thursday (30) regulation of the rules that allow the use of resources from the National Civil Aviation Fund (Fnac) in loans for airlines. The new airline sector law, sanctioned in September last year, provides for R$4 billion in financing, with annual interest rates between 6.5% and 7.5%, depending on the credit line chosen.
According to the Ministry of Ports and Airports, six types of financing will be offered, ranging from the acquisition of national aircraft and engine maintenance to investment in sustainable fuel (SAF) produced in Brazil.
Counterparts
To access the resources, companies must comply with mandatory considerations, such as the acquisition of SAF that further reduces carbon dioxide emissions, exceeding the legal target: a cut of 1 percentage point per year until reaching 10%. Furthermore, companies should increase the offer of flights to the Legal Amazon and the Northeast, contributing to regional integration and the development of tourism.
Airlines that join the program will also have to sign the Sustainability Pact, an initiative by the Ministry of Ports and Airports that encourages ESG (environmental, social and governance) practices in the sector.
Support for the sector
In a statement, the Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, highlighted that the objective is to stimulate competitiveness and reduce operational costs for companies.
“The federal government is doing its part, which is to provide credit for the purchase of national aircraft, engine maintenance and increased infrastructure. With this, companies will be able to reduce costs and ticket prices, benefiting the consumer”, he stated.
According to the minister, the proposal also seeks to correct a gap left during the pandemic, when airlines did not receive direct financial support.
“If we are lending resources at a privileged interest rate, it is fair to demand benefits for the population, such as the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions”, he added.
With the measure, the government hopes to strengthen the domestic aviation market, encourage national SAF production and expand regional connectivity, especially in airlines that currently have a low supply of flights.
Understand
Brazilian airlines that operate domestic flights and are in compliance with the Union and sector regulatory bodies.
R$4 billion, divided into six lines of credit.
Between 6.5% and 7.5% per year, depending on the purpose of the loan.
-Acquisition of aircraft produced in Brazil;
-Maintenance and modernization of engines;
-Investment in operational infrastructure;
-Purchase of national sustainable fuel.
Deadlines vary depending on the type of financing. Requests must be forwarded to the Fnac Management Committee, through the Ministry of Ports and Airports.
- Mandatory counterparties:
• Acquisition of sustainable fuel that guarantees a reduction in carbon dioxide above the legal target;
• Expansion of flights to destinations in the Legal Amazon and the Northeast;
• Adherence to the Sustainability Pact, with ESG practices;
• Periodic environmental and social performance reports sent to the Ministry of Ports and Airports.
