Ads
TAP Air Portugal has recently expanded its services to include the city of Florianópolis in southern Brazil, further solidifying its presence in the competitive Europe-Brazil market. The addition of this new route, with three weekly flights operated by Airbus A330-200 aircraft, marks an important milestone for the airline as it continues to grow its operations in this key market.
Florianópolis-Hercílio Luz International Airport will now be connected to Lisbon Airport, providing travelers with more options for their journeys between Europe and Brazil. This new route also represents Star Alliance’s 13th Brazilian destination, further expanding the network of connections available to passengers flying with TAP Air Portugal.
Henri-Charles Ozarovsky, Head of Strategy at TAP Group, emphasized the strategic importance of this new route, citing the increasing demand for flights between Europe and Brazil as well as the airline’s strong partnerships with Brazilian carriers Azul and GOL. Ozarovsky explained that the decision to expand to Florianópolis was a carefully considered move aimed at maximizing the airline’s business opportunities and leveraging its existing alliances in the region.
The launch of flights to Florianópolis comes on the heels of disruptions at Porto Alegre Airport earlier this year, which forced TAP Air Portugal to suspend operations at that location. Ozarovsky noted that despite these challenges, the demand for flights to Florianópolis remained high, prompting the airline to strategically reallocate its resources to meet market demand and explore new growth opportunities.
Looking ahead, TAP Air Portugal is also planning to resume flights to Manaus, the capital of Amazonia, in November. This decision is part of the airline’s broader strategy to expand its presence in key Brazilian markets and enhance connectivity for travelers to and from Europe. With these developments, TAP Air Portugal aims to strengthen its position in the Europe-Brazil market and capitalize on the growing demand for air travel between the two regions.
The launch of flights to Florianópolis has significantly increased TAP’s capacity in the Europe-Brazil market, with over 51,000 two-way weekly tickets and 213,600 monthly seats now available to passengers. As a result, TAP Air Portugal is projected to capture a 27.9% market share in the Europe-Brazil market by September 2024, positioning the airline as a formidable player in this competitive landscape.
In comparison, other major airlines such as LATAM Airlines Group, Air France-KLM Group, Lufthansa Group, ITA Airways, British Airways, and Iberia also hold significant market shares in the Europe-Brazil market. However, TAP’s recent growth and expansion efforts have allowed the airline to strengthen its competitive position and attract more passengers traveling between Europe and Brazil.
The use of A321LR aircraft on routes to cities like Belem, Fortaleza, Maceio, Natal, and Recife has further bolstered TAP Air Portugal’s market share and frequency in the Europe-Brazil market. In September, the airline accounted for 32% of all Europe-Brazil frequencies, outpacing its competitors and solidifying its position as a leading carrier in the region.
The overall growth of the Europe-Brazil market further underscores the strategic importance of TAP Air Portugal’s expansion efforts. With an increase in nonstop scheduled two-way seats to Brazil reaching a record high in January 2025, it is clear that there is a growing demand for air travel between Europe and Brazil. Despite uncertainties surrounding market capacity and economic conditions, TAP Air Portugal remains committed to managing its capacity expansion responsibly and effectively to meet the needs of travelers and capitalize on new growth opportunities.
As TAP Air Portugal continues to expand its route network and enhance its services, the airline remains focused on delivering a high-quality travel experience for passengers while also adapting to changing market dynamics. With strategic investments in key markets like Brazil and a commitment to innovation and customer service, TAP Air Portugal is well-positioned to thrive in the competitive Europe-Brazil market for years to come.
