There was a 40% increase in the number of passengers transported on international routes in the first half of this year by Brazilian airlines when compared to the same period in 2007. The figures were supplied by Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC).
The company that grew most on foreign transport was Varig, with 118.9% expansion, followed by TAM Linhas Aéreas, which registered growth of 45.7% in the number of passengers transported on international routes. Gol registered a 14.9% reduction.
In market share, however, TAM remained in the lead, with 70.59%, against 67.88% in the same period last year. Varig came in second place, with 18.29%. The percentage was 11.71% in 2007. Gol came in third place, with 9.74%, against 16.03% in the same period last year.
There was also growth of passenger transport on the domestic market in the first half of this year. It grew 10.8% over the same months in 2007. TAM also led in the sector, with 49.11% of the market. In the same period of 2007, the company market share had been 49.03%. In second place came Gol, with 38.29%, followed by Varig, with 5.85%.
The market concentration in the hands of TAM and Gol, which controls Varig, on lines operated in Brazil reached 93.25% in the first half. On the international market, concentration in the two companies was even greater, 98.62%.