The president of the National Civil Aviation Agency (Anac), Tiago Chagas, stated this Friday (10) on Rádio Nacional, during the program Alô Alô Brasil with José Luiz Datena, that actions taken by the Federal Government and Petrobras have contributed to curbing the increase in airfare prices.
“The measures taken by the Government were important to curb the increase, not to prevent it,” Chagas affirmed.
On April 1st, Petrobras announced an average 55% increase in the price of aviation kerosene (QAV), a petroleum-derived fuel that powers airplanes and helicopters and is one of the main costs for airlines. The increase is linked to the rising price of oil barrels due to the conflict in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
The Anac president explains that “a 55% increase in the price of aviation kerosene represents roughly a 20% to 30% increase in airfare.” According to Chagas, aviation kerosene accounts for 40% of the cost of the tickets purchased by consumers.
With the measures taken by the government, according to the Anac president, the increase, instead of reaching 20% or 30%, will remain in the range of 10% to 12%.
Chagas also points to Petrobras’s decision to stagger the increase in aviation kerosene. The company did not apply the 55% immediately and initially passed on only 18%, opting to spread the remaining increase over the next six months.
The federal government also eliminated the PIS and Cofins taxes and provided a line of credit for airlines.
“These are measures to ease the financial burden on companies so that they do not pass on the fuel price increase to ticket prices as much,” explained the Anac president.
Chagas concluded by saying that the government is awaiting the airlines’ adherence to these measures, which he expects to happen quickly.
“It is in their [the companies’] interest because if people do not fly, it means less full planes. This could even lead to the cancellation of routes that become unprofitable. Airlines are very concerned about losing a customer base that is already suffering,” stated the Anac president.
Source: Agência Brasil.
Original published at O Cafezinho.
