BA TO REDUCE FLIGHTS TO SAO PAULO

BA has announced that from October 24, its second daily flight (three times a week) from Heathrow to Sao Paulo will be scrapped owing to low load factors. The second daily flight, which leaves Heathrow at 0935, was only introduced on June 1 last year. BA’s original daily flight from Heathrow at 2150 remains unaffected.

I don’t know if I’d say I’m surprised, but it definitely calls into question BA’s push to have a bigger presence in the BRIC countries. So far: Brazil – an increase of three flights per week to Sao Paulo now back to the original daily flight. Russia – a daily B747 and two daily B767s down to a B777 and two A321s. India – a reduction in capacity on most routes via smaller aircraft. China – Chengdu not performing well and no further routes [apart from Beijing and Shanghai].

Sao Paulo being reduced is not a surprise at all. The Brazilian economy is “calming down” and so some demand is decreasing. However, I thought it was odd the airline went from seven to ten flights like that, and didn’t use that slot for another route such as Bogota, Santiago or Panama City. I think a daily A380 would be the right balance, but gather Sao Paulo cannot handle the superjumbo yet.

I’m sure BA’s BRIC strategy had good intentions but the markets have softened since, and other EU airlines do better business in these sectors. With Brazil, many colleagues and friends choose Lufthansa, KLM and Air France. Prices and schedules are the most commonly quoted reasons.