Any thoughts on Brussels and South America flights?

krist0f · Post by **krist0f** » 30 Jan 2007, 16:36

Hi all,

I was wondering whether any airline is planning on connecting South America with Brussels anytime in the near future? If I'm not mistaken Sabena used to fly to GRU for a short time (What were the pax load factors for these flights?).

With the expanding network of SN in Africa and the present and upcoming connections to North America, Middle East and Far East, I'm hoping some airline will look into connections between BRU and South America (most likely target airports would be GRU or EZE I'd figure). Is there any demand for such routes and if so what would the frequencies be? Multiple times a week? Daily? And how do the neighboring airports figure in to all this; Is there perhaps too much weight from CDG, AMS and FRA that Brussels doesn't stand a chance of flying direct to South America?

Thanks,

Kris.

bruworld · Post by **bruworld** » 30 Jan 2007, 18:01

it would be my dream: bru to eze or caracas with snba or aerolineas argentinas!!!!!
and why not bru-mad-eze with a 747?

BrightCedars · Post by **BrightCedars** » 30 Jan 2007, 18:05

"Expanding African network", "new routes to North America, Middle East, Far East". Are we talking about the same (SN) Brussels Airlines?

The best news so far in the last couple years as far as expansion is concerned is that a fourth A330 would be joining the fleet sometime this year. Then we may have an additional destination in Africa (but others might be dropped) and there is talk of service to North America.

South America brings low yields when operating from BRU and that isn't in the interest of SN at all. I rather see them milk the Dark Continent. And a South American carrier at BRU is also unlikely as they still need to build up their alliance connections at hubs surrounding Brussels.

fokker_f27 · Post by **fokker_f27** » 30 Jan 2007, 18:10

I don't see this happening any time soon, sorry.

I agree completely with the above post.

krist0f · Post by **krist0f** » 30 Jan 2007, 20:50

Thanks for the replies, I appreciate it and the perspective you have provided on this question! In the meanwhile I'll still keep clinging to the dream that some day a direct flight from BRU to South America will become reality.. Oh well.. wishful thinking keeps one going, while that I'll just keep flying through MAD and FRA to get to GRU

Cheers,

Kris.

galaxy · Post by **galaxy** » 30 Jan 2007, 21:36

BrightCedars wrote:
South America brings low yields when operating from BRU and that isn't in the interest of SN at all. I rather see them milk the Dark Continent. And a South American carrier at BRU is also unlikely as they still need to build up their alliance connections at hubs surrounding Brussels.

I have flown many times to South America and in particular to LIM .I have to say all flights with Iberia and KLM ,who are flying to LIM every day,were always full . Iberia has the bad reputation to overbook his flight most of the time.If you have to reserve those flights months before departure, I can not imagine a flight from BRU to LIM to be low yield.

AFApresident · Post by **AFApresident** » 30 Jan 2007, 22:21

I think a BRU - Dakar - Sao Paulo flight could work, if 5th freedom rights can be achieved between Dakar and Sao Paulo.

Nonstop it will not work, since if you can fill the plane, the flight will still not be profitable. Unless of course you can get a plane with about 15 business and 140 economy seats to operate such a route.

SN30952 · Post by **SN30952** » 30 Jan 2007, 23:35

AFApresident wrote:I think a BRU - Dakar - Sao Paulo flight could work, if 5th freedom rights can be achieved between Dakar and Sao Paulo.

The Emirates flight to S. America will show how they will operate.
But who will fly DKR-SAO? That's why I think BRU-DKR-SAO wil not work.

ERICAIRLINES · Post by **ERICAIRLINES** » 31 Jan 2007, 07:39

thera are more and more brazilians living in Brussels those days,mainly coming from BSB/GYN area...not enough yet it is clear,but who knows one day,TAM could try the route..all flights leaving Brazil at the moment are overbooked due to very high demand after the banktrupcy of RG....AF?KL?LX?LH are all adding frequencies..TP also..Tp will soon add BSB to his brazilian network..and more GRU and GIG (2 daily)...more than that it is very difficult due to lack of equiments available...

For EZE,Lim etc there is no market at all from bru ..sorry dears

Same for mex

YYZ727 · Post by **YYZ727** » 31 Jan 2007, 09:07

I remember the VASP flights in the early nineties were quite succesfull for a while...
Also before that LAP DC-8's were regular visitors at BRU.
I imagine there must be some market for flights to Brasil... Other than that, no chance....

Telspace · Post by **Telspace** » 31 Jan 2007, 10:50

Hi,

I flew RT few weeks ago from GRU to BRU. Best flight is with LH via MUC.
Return with TP. Both flights were quite full.

Use to flight also with VASP and SN when flights were operating. Was in fact pratical.

Lot of PAX today due to the good exchange rate between Brazilian Real and Euro / Dollar. The day this will change, PAX flow will melt quickly.

The New Varig will pull out of Star Alliance in February 07. Varig looking for new partners airlines to regain international market.
TAM will fly soon to Milan, but it is better to avoid this airlines due to the big mess TAM created by overbooking and planes failures.

Koenie666 · Post by **Koenie666** » 31 Jan 2007, 13:10

I would really like such a connection as well but I'm afraid it isn't going to happen soon. There is too much competition from LH, IB and the carriers from the US of A. (AA, DL, UA all had super fares in the january sales to go to central and south america.... too bad I haven't picked one up)

Aviation24.be

Any thoughts on Brussels and South America flights?

Any thoughts on Brussels and South America flights?

You sound so optimistic about SN

Re: You sound so optimistic about SN