Brazil Launches Airport Privatisations

After much discussion over the last few years and pressure from the aviation industry, the Brazilian government announced in May its plans to privatise 3 of the country's largest airports, Guarulhos and Viracopos, both in Sao Paulo and Juscelino Kubitschek airport in the capital, Brasilia. Airports in Brazil are currently administered by state company Infraero and the plan is to transfer the management of these airports to the private sector. Should this process be successful then it may be rolled out to a further 62 airports.

The announcement comes at a time when the Brazilian aviation industry and Infraero, in particular, have faced increasing criticism. Overcrowding and delays are common and the accidents in 2006 and 2007 involving 2 of the country's largest airlines, GOL and TAM raised serious questions regarding safety. A survey carried out by IPEA (Institute of Applied Economic Research) stated that between 2003 and 2010 the total number of passengers flying