Brazil’s Largest Airline TAM Adds 1,000+ Flights for World Cup

South America’s largest airline group LATAM is investing $21 million to add more than 1,000 international and domestic flights in Brazil during the World Cup.

The 750 new domestic flights will bring TAM Airlines‘s total operations to 22,000 flights within Brazil during June and July. The majority of the flights, 81 percent, will be in cities hosting games throughout the championship.

TAM, Brazil’s biggest airline, originally requested permission for 850 new domestic flights.

LAN, TAM, and their affiliates will operate an additional 300 international flights that will primarily serve Argentina, Chile, and England.

The announcement comes two months after Brazil’s aviation authority decided that it would not open more routes for foreign carriers during the competition.

Fares and Fees

Reports last month claimed TAM would charge as much as $1,115 per one-way trip during the tournament. But the airline said in a statement today that 80 percent of domestic TAM flights were priced below $250.

TAM’s competitor Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes SA voluntarily capped airfares at $428 last month.

All revenues are likely to be at least marginally lowered due to regulations that pass the burden of airport inefficiences to airlines. Depending on the length of a delayed, airlines will be responsible for food, transport and accommodations for passengers, regardless of what caused the delay.