Press Release: Breakthrough in EU-Brazil negotiations on far-reaching aviation agreement

Vice-President Siim Kallas, in charge of transport, has announced a breakthrough in the EU-Brazil negotiations on an ambitious aviation agreement. Negotiators from the EU and Brazil have initialled a comprehensive agreement on air transport services. This is a significant development in the context of the Strategic Partnership between the EU and Brazil launched in 2007. Brazil is by far the largest air transport market in South America with annually around 4.5 million passengers carried on flights between the EU and Brazil. Brazil is also among the fastest growing aviation markets in the world.

In 2010, the Brazilian air transport market grew by 23% compared to 2009. The new agreement will be a major step in the opening of markets. It creates new investment opportunities and improves the commercial and operational environment for EU carriers operating into Brazil.