Latin American Economy & Business - April 2014 (ISSN 1741-7430)

According to latest estimates, over 600,000 people will be visiting Brazil during the upcoming FIFA World Cup, the once-every-four years football extravaganza due to be held between 12 June and 13 July. Some US$11bn has been spent on preparations for the event. The matches will be held in 12 different cities across the country. The vast majority of the visitors – perhaps over 90% – will get to the country and to the different venues by air. On paper, this should mean a bonanza for Latin American and international airlines. In reality, apparently not: airline executives are decidedly down in the mouth about the whole thing.