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TAP Air Portugal has recently made headlines with the launch of a new service to Florianópolis, a city in southern Brazil. This move has not only expanded TAP’s presence in the Europe-Brazil market but has also reinforced its commitment to providing top-notch service to passengers.
The Airbus A330-200 aircraft will now operate three times a week between Lisbon Airport and Florianópolis-Hercílio Luz International Airport. With the addition of Florianópolis as its 13th Brazilian destination, TAP has solidified its position within the Star Alliance network.
Henri-Charles Ozarovsky, TAP’s Group Head of Strategy, shared insights with Aviation Week regarding the rationale behind adding Florianópolis to TAP’s route network. Ozarovsky mentioned that the decision to add this route was the result of careful analysis of regional data, which indicated growing demand and the presence of strong codeshare alliances with Brazilian carriers such as Azul and GOL.
The decision to launch flights to Florianópolis came after disruptions in TAP’s operations at Porto Alegre Airport earlier in the year, due to floods. Ozarovsky emphasized that despite the challenges faced in Porto Alegre, the decision to add Florianópolis was strategic and aimed at tapping into new opportunities and meeting the growing demand for flights to the region.
Looking ahead, TAP is also set to resume flights to Manaus, the capital of the Amazonia region, in November. This move is expected to further boost the airline’s presence in Brazil and contribute to the economic development of the region. TAP previously operated flights to Manaus from June 2014 to February 2016 and is now gearing up for a comeback.
With the addition of Florianópolis to its route network, TAP has significantly increased its capacity to Brazil. According to data from the OAG Schedules Analyser, TAP now offers over 51,000 two-way nonstop weekly tickets and 213,600 monthly seats to Brazil. This has resulted in TAP capturing a 27.9% share of the Europe-Brazil market as of September 2024.
In comparison, other major players in the Europe-Brazil market include LATAM Airlines Group with 21.8%, Air France-KLM Group with 13.6%, Lufthansa Group and ITA Airways each with 11%, and British Airways and Iberia with 9.5%. TAP’s use of A321LR aircraft on routes to Belem, Fortaleza, Maceio, Natal, and Recife has further boosted its market share and solidified its position as a key player in the market.
The growth in the Europe-Brazil market is a promising sign for the aviation industry, with scheduled two-way seats expected to reach 847,500 in January 2025. This represents an 11% increase from January 2024 and a 16% increase from pre-pandemic levels. Despite uncertainties surrounding market capacity and the impact of the fluctuating Brazilian real, the outlook remains positive for airlines operating in this market.
Ozarovsky emphasized that TAP is closely monitoring market dynamics and adjusting its capacity expansion plans accordingly. The airline is committed to meeting customer demand while maintaining a sustainable and competitive position in the Europe-Brazil market. As the holiday season approaches, TAP remains focused on providing exceptional service to passengers and contributing to the growth and development of the markets it serves.
