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Brazil mulls offering domestic routes to foreign carriers for World Cup

Overseas airlines may be allowed to operate internal flights during this summer’s World Cup.


President Dilma Rousseff is considering issuing a decree to open the internal market in order to prevent abusive price hikes, according to chief of staff Gleisi Hoffmann.


Brazil expects 600,000 foreign tourists to travel to the country for the tournament.


There are huge disparities between fares charged by different companies. Two Brazilian airlines – Gol and Tam – share most of the market.


“We have not taken a decision as yet, but if there is abuse that is one of the measures being considered,” Hoffman told the Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper.


She said the measure could be introduced in good time for the World Cup, as the Brazilian constitution grants the president powers to rule by decree in special circumstances, the BBC reported.


Hoffman said the government also expects hotel prices to rise during the tournament, which will be played in 12 cities between June 12 and July 13.


“We have held meetings with hotel owners and the airlines. We want all the businesses to get a return for their investment during the major events [Brazil is hosting], but prices must be fair,” she said.


Some three million Brazilian football fans are expected to join foreign tourists travelling around the country to watch the matches.


Six of the 12 venues that will be used in the competition are yet to be finished.


The main concern is a new arena under construction for the opening match in Sao Paulo.

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