New airline with Caribbean investors to tap Brazilian market

(Jamaica Observer) Jamaican and Trinidadian entrepreneurs are potential investors in an airline carrier aimed at tapping into the South American market.

The Brazilian Ambassador to Jamaica, Antonio F Da Costa e Silva Neto, revealed last week that one investment group has specifically set its sights on Brazil, South America’s largest market with a population of almost 200 million.

“We are of the understanding that there is one company — which is Jamaican and Trinidadian — that is looking at building an airline for the South American market,” Da Costa e Silva Neto said at a recent Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica breakfast meeting.

“Their idea is to fly from Sao Paulo (Brazil) each day to a different Caribbean destination,” the ambassador said.

The disclosure followed an assessment by Da Costa e Silva Neto describing Jamaica as having failed to seriously tap into Brazil’s lucrative tourist market, with just a mere 1,431 Brazilians visiting Jamaica from January to November 2011.

The diplomat suggested that the lack of a direct flight between the two countries is an impediment to Jamaica’s attracting Brazilian tourists.