The Minister of Ports and Airports, Márcio França, announced this weekend that the Federal government will launch the Voa, Brasil program, to reduce the prices of airline tickets in the country. The goal is to democratize access to plane tickets, with an estimated cost of R$ 200 per flight segment.
The program will benefit public servants at the three levels of government (municipal, state and federal) with salaries of up to R$ 6,800, retirees and Social Security pensioners and students from the Student Financing Fund (FIES), a Ministry program of Education. “It wasn’t fair to make this move for executives who are able to pay higher prices”, points out the minister.
França guarantees that the ticket will not be more expensive for other passengers, because the cost of each segment is calculated considering the number of seats per kilometer flown. “The more seats per kilometer are filled, the cheaper the price has to be.”
According to the ministry, the intention is to sell these cheaper tickets outside the high season, in two periods: from February to June and from August to November, when traditionally there is an average idleness of 21% on domestic flights. “With this, we will end up making all tickets cheaper, because as there is no more idleness, the other tickets may also become cheaper”, projects the minister.
Participants will be able to buy up to two tickets per year, with the right to have a companion on each leg. Tickets must be paid in up to 12 installments with interest, in the amount of up to R$ 72 for each installment.
França clarifies that the federal government will not provide a subsidy. “It will come with the organization”. Sales will be made in the websites from the airlines themselves, which must display the Voa, Brasil option. Those interested who meet the criteria to participate in the program will be able to make the purchase, which will be intermediated by Caixa Econômica and Banco do Brasil.
In a statement, the Brazilian Airlines Association (Abear) says it is following the government’s proposal and has made itself available to contribute to the debate.
“Since the beginning of the year, Abear and its associates have maintained constant dialogue with the Ministry of Ports and Airports about the scenario of the airline industry and possible solutions for the growth in the number of passengers and destinations served.”
The minister’s prediction is that Voa, Brasil will start operating in the second half of this year: “the ticket is very expensive today. Tickets have to come down in price”, concluded the minister.
